Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1795

"Just look at Janelle, and then think about Zane Livingston's mother. It's night and day."

"That awful Priscilla actually had the nerve to criticize Winona, calling her disrespectful, dramatic, and a failure of a daughter-in-law!"

"She should have taken a long, hard look in the mirror!"

"If she had loved Winona even half as much as Janelle does, Winona would have treated her like her own mother."

Elysia completely agreed with Blossom.

Empathy was a two-way street. What woman went into a marriage not wanting a good relationship with her in-laws?

If things turned toxic, was it really always the daughter-in-law's fault?

If every mother-in-law treated people with Janelle's level of sincerity and warmth, no one would ever have a fractured family.

...

Inside the penthouse suite.

The moment Keaton stepped through the door, he pressed Winona against the heavy wood.

His eyes were bloodshot, his brows drawn together in torment as his chest heaved with frantic breaths.

"Tell me the truth," he demanded hoarsely. "What is going on with this baby?"

In his volatile emotional state, his grip on her wrists was completely unchecked.

Winona winced, her brows pulling together. "You're hurting me."

Keaton flinched, instantly releasing her. A faint red ring had already formed on her pale skin.

Guilt and heartache slammed into him.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I... I'll get a doctor!"

He spun around toward the door, but Winona grabbed his arm.

"My wrist is just a little red. It's not a real injury. Why on earth would you call a doctor?"

"It looks pretty bad," Keaton insisted, staring at it.

Winona let out a soft sigh. She knew he was spiraling in a panic, completely unmoored.

Taking his hand, she led him out onto the private balcony.

Two woven chairs sat facing each other. Winona gestured for Keaton to sit down, then took the seat across from him.

The afternoon sunlight streamed in, casting a comforting, golden warmth over them.

Winona looked into Keaton's eyes, her demeanor entirely calm.

"The baby really is yours. It happened that night."

A violent shudder ripped through Keaton. Even though he already knew the answer deep down, he couldn't help but ask.

"I was completely thrown. It was so surreal. It's my first pregnancy, and the realization that there was a tiny life growing inside me felt like pure magic."

"But then I thought about it long and hard."

"You're the only man I've been with in the last two years. I knew without a doubt the baby was yours."

"You've always been against marriage and kids. And after everything I went through with Zane, I had no plans to start a family either. Logically, it didn't seem right to keep the baby."

"But I thought about it for a long time, and I decided I wanted them."

Winona lowered her head, resting a gentle hand over her flat stomach. Her voice softened beautifully.

"I believe this baby is a gift from above. The universe saw everything I lost and sent me this child to make up for it. I have to cherish them."

"Financially, I'm secure enough to raise a child on my own."

"The only reason I kept it a secret from you was because I was terrified you'd force me to get an abortion."

"I can hold my own, but against you? I'm nothing. If you didn't want this baby, I knew I wouldn't stand a chance of keeping them."

"That's why I hid the truth. I—"

Winona's words broke off as she suddenly heard the choked sound of sobbing.

Her head snapped up. At some point while she was talking, tears had begun streaming endlessly down Keaton's face.