Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1338

Winona wanted to say something—her lips parted, but the words just wouldn’t come out.

Janelle shook her head and sighed.

“Word is, someone set the whole thing up just to get it on camera. They caught Keaton and Beatrix in the act.”

“That person sent the video to both our families—the Hubers and the Suttons—and tried to blackmail us.”

“They threatened to leak the uncensored footage if we didn’t pay up.”

“If that video goes public, Keaton’s looking at jail time, and Beatrix’s reputation will get dragged through the mud. It’d ruin both our families.”

“The blackmail’s been handled, but now it’s just us left to deal with the fallout.”

“If Keaton and Beatrix got married, this would all blow over.”

“But the problem is Keaton. He refuses to go through with the wedding...”

Winona finally spoke up. “If he doesn’t want to marry her, it means he doesn’t love her. Forcing them together won’t bring anyone happiness. Besides, I think there’s more to this than meets the eye.”

Janelle frowned, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Winona took a moment, choosing her words carefully.

“Listen, Keaton’s got a reputation as a ladies’ man, sure. But he’s not a scumbag. He’s a flirt, but he’s not a creep. He dates a lot, but he’s never forced himself on anyone.”

“All the girls he’s been with—he put in the effort, charmed them. His relationships are short-lived, yeah, but he’s genuine in the moment.”

“He courts them, and when it ends, he’s honest and generous. He’s never cheated or juggled girlfriends.”

“And honestly, the women he dates? They know what they’re getting. They’re not looking for forever, either—they want something out of it, too.”

“To put it simply, it’s a fair trade.”

“He spends money for excitement, they get some perks in return.”

“Plus, Keaton’s family is loaded, he’s got the body of a pro athlete, he’s always hitting the gym, he’s clean, and—let’s be real—he’s handsome as hell.”

Anyone else would have called her son a jerk after seeing that footage.

But not Winona.

Janelle was moved to her core. She gripped Winona’s hand tightly. Why couldn’t a girl like this be her daughter-in-law? Life was so unfair!

“Winona, do you think Keaton was set up?”

Winona nodded slightly. “Yeah, I just don’t see him doing something like that. It’s not in his character.”

But since Keaton himself had already copped to it, she didn’t want to push. She just said gently, “I can’t say for sure, but something just feels off.”

Just as Winona finished speaking, Richard and Tarquin strode out of the old family chapel.

Richard was fuming. He barked at the staff, “No one’s to go near him! No doctor, no painkillers, no food, no water! Anyone who disobeys can pack their bags and leave the Huber family for good!”

The guards at the door nodded frantically, not daring to breathe too loud.