Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1758

Winona pushed the car door open and stepped out. "Drive safe," she told Keaton.

He nodded. "Yeah. Just... call me when you've made your decision."

"Okay."

After bidding Ridley goodbye, Keaton drove off. Winona watched his taillights disappear down the street, her brow furrowed in a heavy sigh. The estate's security guards jogged over to relieve her of the heavy gift bags.

Ridley turned to her. "What exactly is going on between you two?"

"I already told you," Winona said softly. "We got drunk, things happened, and now there's a baby."

"I'm not talking about the baby," Ridley pressed. "I'm talking about you and Keaton. Didn't you say there were no feelings between you?"

"There aren't. Why?"

"Then why did he stand outside our estate walls all night?"

Winona froze, utterly stunned. "What do you mean, all night?"

"He showed up last night and stayed out there until morning," Ridley explained. "A full night."

Winona’s eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

Ridley pressed his lips together. "Of course I am. Why would I lie to you? The guards told me, and I even checked the security footage myself. He never left. He just stood there, staring up at your window. I had the guards clip the video and send it to you."

"My phone is upstairs. I didn't bring it down."

"Well, you can watch it later," Ridley said. "Right now, even our security guards are convinced you two are secretly dating."

Her mind racing, Winona quickly tried to dismiss it. "We aren't dating, so please don't overthink things. I'm going back to my room to catch up on some sleep. You and Mom go ahead and eat. I'll grab something whenever I wake up."

She hurried toward the house without looking back. Ridley called after her, "You still haven't told me what he wanted to talk about!"

Meanwhile, across town, Tarquin was fielding a call from Keaton. He stepped out into the courtyard to take it.

The moment the line connected, Keaton blurted out, "Tell Elysia to talk some sense into Winona. I'm stepping up to be the father of her kid."

Tarquin paused. "Did something happen?"

Keaton didn't hold back. "The secret's out. A bunch of gossips are already whispering behind her back. That kid can't grow up without a dad, or they'll be branded illegitimate! If I claim the baby as mine, I'd like to see who dares to talk trash about them!"

After a brief silence, Tarquin asked, "Have you discussed this with Winona?"

"Yeah, but she didn't give me an answer. I don't know if she'll agree, so I need Elysia to help me convince her. Tell her I have no ulterior motives. I just want to claim the kid."

Tarquin took a slow breath. "Are you really this deeply in love with her?"

For once, Keaton didn't argue. His voice was muffled and heavy. "Right now? Yeah. But I don't know about the future."