Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1768

By the time Keaton pulled up to the Newsom family estate, it was already ten at night.

The main villa was completely dark, save for a few pathway lights glowing in the courtyard.

Were they asleep this early? Keaton wondered.

Unable to wait until morning to confess his feelings, he sent Winona a quick text.

[Are you asleep?]

When she didn't reply, he sat in his car, staring up at her dark bedroom window, agonizing over every passing minute.

After half an hour of radio silence, she still hadn't texted back.

Keaton finally gave in and dialed her number.

The line rang endlessly, but no one picked up.

Was she really sleeping that soundly? he thought, puzzled.

A sudden knock on his window made him jump.

Seeing a figure standing outside the car, he rolled down the window.

The man outside greeted him politely.

"Good evening, Mr. Huber. I'm part of the security team for the Newsom family. We've met before."

Keaton responded courteously. "Hey, is everything alright?"

"I recognized your car and figured I'd come check," the guard said. "Are you looking for Ms. Newsom?"

"Yeah. Is she already asleep?"

"No, sir. She left earlier. She isn't home."

Keaton was surprised. "When did she leave? What's she doing out this late?"

"Mr. Newsom left this afternoon for a business trip out of town," the guard explained. "Caroline and Winona left about an hour ago. I don't have the details on their plans."

Keaton mentally calculated the timeline. An hour ago meant Winona had practically just gotten home before leaving again.

What could possibly require both mother and daughter to head out together in the middle of the night?

"Do you know when they'll be back?" Keaton asked.

The guard shook his head.

"They didn't say, but they definitely won't be back tonight. You shouldn't wait up out here. The nights are getting colder, and you might catch a chill."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Huber."

Keaton offered a polite, completely unpretentious smile, put the car in drive, and pulled away.

Once he was gone, the other guards swarmed over.

"Holy hell, Sovereign Imperials! Mr. Huber is seriously generous!"

"And people claim he's unapproachable. Not only did he talk to us, but he was incredibly polite. He's way better than those arrogant trust-fund brats who look down on everyone!"

"Exactly. Whatever his reputation with women might be, the guy has absolute class and manners!"

While the guards showered him with praise, Keaton was driving with a heavy mind.

After leaving the estate, he tried calling Winona again, but it still went unanswered.

Just as his anxiety began to spike, his phone buzzed with a message from Shane Gould.

[Did you need Winona for something?]

Keaton quickly typed back.

[Do you know where she went? She's not home and isn't answering her phone or texts.]