Alle Kapitel von No Longer Theirs: The One They Can't Replace: Kapitel 271 – Kapitel 280

The more Winter compared the two men, the more Joshua seemed unremarkable.Right then, George wheeled a wheelchair toward them, carrying a bouquet of white roses. "Mr. Fulton."Winter's eyes widened at the flowers.Ezekiel helped her settle into the wheelchair and held the fresh roses carefully in his lap. "I came in a hurry, and I didn't know what Madam Everhart liked. I hope she didn't dislike roses.""My mom liked any flower," Winter said softly, then froze. She looked up at the tall, handsome man before her. "How did you know my mom rests here?"Ezekiel's eyes flickered, a faint, amused smile tugging at his lips. "Is that surprising? Hardly. If I choose, I could know every soul resting here."Both Winter and George were stunned, unsure how to react.Ezekiel realized he'd gone too far and pressed his lips together. Just as he was about to apologize, Winter stifled a laugh, the sound soft and teasing. "Mr. Fulton, I've never seen anyone flaunt connections in a place like this.

Avalon Monastery sat in hushed stillness, the air heavy with the low, rhythmic cadence of prayers flowing through its halls.On the way there, Winter couldn't help asking Ezekiel how he had known she would be at Oakridge Cemetery. What she got in return was the same grandiose claim."As long as I want to find someone, I'll find them no matter where they are."Ezekiel had also learned that every year, after visiting her mother's grave, Winter would come to Avalon Monastery to pray. This year was no exception.Outside the gates stretched a long flight of stone steps, one section after another. A wheelchair could never make it up. Ezekiel bent slightly at the waist, ready to lift Winter in his arms, but she stopped him with a soft refusal."Thank you, but that wouldn't be appropriate. I'll walk up by myself.""Are you sure you can manage?" he asked.Winter flashed a faint smile. "Yes.""Alright, then." Ezekiel extended his right hand.The moment her fingers touched his palm, hi

Florence could lean on her seniority all she wanted, but it wouldn't last. Her health was failing, and she'd be gone one day. Then no one would be there to protect Winter from Jessica."Florence, you always seem to have it in for Jessica, but today, on such an important day, where is the granddaughter-in-law you like so much?" Heather sneered and took the hard line. "When you invited them over last time, she didn't come."Now she's supposed to be here to pray for Philip, but she's nowhere in sight. Do I have to grovel to her and personally invite her over? You fuss over her so much, but how does she reciprocate?"She misses important occasions, and when Terry was sick at home, she didn't even bother. She doesn't see herself as part of the Stroud family, so why are you still so concerned?""Joshua, what exactly is going on?" Florence demanded sharply. "Why didn't Win come with you? Have you done something to upset her?"Joshua's throat tightened, and he pressed his lips together. H

Winter froze, her eyes flicking to Joshua's blood-red gaze. Her pupils constricted in shock.In five years of marriage, she had never seen him like this—eyes blazing, every inch of him radiating a fury that made her want to shrink away."Where have you been all these days?" Joshua's rage turned his voice raw, his throat tight, teeth clenched. "Answer me!"His shout echoed through the hushed monastery. He had always been controlled and composed, and this was sacred ground where silence was expected. But seeing Winter safe, smiling even as she leaned against Ezekiel, all rules had shattered.The Strouds looked on in astonishment.They had been kept in the dark about Winter's recent ordeal. To them, she was merely a woman caught in an affair with her lover, being discovered by her husband. They had no idea the danger she'd faced."Why does it matter to you if I live or die?" Winter's voice was calm, almost indifferent.She then turned toward Ezekiel. "Mr. Fulton, let's go.""Alrig

"Mr. Stroud, I don't know how you've been for these past few days, but do you know how Ms. Everhart survived them?" Ezekiel asked.Joshua's gaze sharpened. "You've been awfully close to my wife lately, Mr. Fulton. I'm sure you know exactly how.""I do." Ezekiel's bright eyes were rimmed with red, the emotion beneath them tightly restrained. "Because I was the one who pulled her out of the kidnapper's hands."Joshua's throat seized.Everyone at the scene fell into stunned silence. Every gaze snapped to Winter's calm, expressionless face, disbelief written plainly across them."What did you say, Mr. Fulton?" Florence went deathly pale. "W-Win was kidnapped?""That's right. Mrs. Stroud Senior, Ms. Everhart was kidnapped—the same night your grandson attended the auction with Ms. Lynch," Ezekiel answered without hesitation, without restraint. He cared for no one's reaction—only that the truth be known.Winter stared at the man's broad back. Her lips trembled as she reached out instin