The Sleeper's Wrath and His Wife's Strike novel Chapter 3

Lindsay paused mid-step and turned, fixing Lester with an icy stare that showed none of the concern he pretended to feel for her. Thinking back to everything he’d done to her in their previous life, she couldn’t help but marvel at his hypocrisy.

Her fists clenched instinctively, hatred flickering in her eyes. She gave a cold, mocking laugh. “If I don’t marry Yves, are you volunteering to take his place?”-

“Absolutely not!” Lester retorted without missing a beat. The idea was absurd—he just couldn’t understand why Lindsay would agree to marry a man who was practically in a coma.

How was that any better than being a widow in all but name?

Lindsay arched a brow. “Exactly. None of you want to marry me, so I’m left with the one man who can’t say no.”

“A man in a coma can’t object, sure. But forcing a marriage like this—there’s no way you’ll ever find happiness.”

Forcing a marriage. The phrase alone sent a chill down Lindsay’s spine, conjuring memories of Lester’s face twisted with disgust and loathing as he spoke to Joseph about her in that other life.

But with Yves… maybe this time, the first gift he received after waking up would be her.

“Whether I’m happy or not is none of your concern,” Lindsay said, amusement lacing her tone as she glanced up at Lester. There it was again—him playing the protective older brother, acting as if he cared so much. It was that performance that had fooled her before, made her fall for him in the past life.

Yet he’d never hesitated to destroy her.

Lester frowned, irritation clear in his voice. “I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“Save it. I don’t need your concern.”

Lindsay’s indifference stung, and resentment simmered inside Lester. He was only trying to help, but she brushed him off as if his feelings meant nothing.

Ungrateful. Like throwing pearls before swine.

“You’re not the same as you used to be.”

Lester’s eyes widened in panic. “Naomi, don’t do anything stupid! I never agreed to Grandpa’s plan—Lindsay’s marrying Yves, not me.”

“I don’t believe you. Yves is practically a vegetable. No sane person would marry him,” Naomi replied, convinced Lester was just trying to placate her.

“She even messaged me just now, taunting me. She told me to go die, that if I was gone, nothing would stand in your way.”

At that, Lester shot Lindsay a glare sharp enough to cut. So this was her doing.

Lindsay recoiled under his furious gaze, her brows knitting together in confusion. She was standing right beside him—she’d heard everything Naomi said. When had she ever sent such a message? Naomi was framing her, hurling accusations out of thin air.

“Naomi, please, don’t do anything reckless. I’m coming, I swear. You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted to be with.”

“Lester, I know you’re just trying to comfort me. Our relationship will never be accepted. Ms. Nelson may be an orphan, but she’s earned Grandpa Quigley’ favor. I know she’ll end up marrying you.”