Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1616

“Can money make her go away?” Tarquin asked.

Keaton shook his head. “She wants one thing: to be Mrs. Huber.”

Tarquin frowned. “I have no connection to her. It's awkward for you to get involved, so how about I go talk to her?”

Keaton's brow tightened as he shook his head again. “I can't hurt her.”

Tarquin’s face hardened. “...You need to be prepared, Keaton. If you don't handle this right, something terrible could happen to Janelle and Mr. Huber.”

Just hearing the truth had made Janelle faint.

If she saw a stillborn baby, the shock could literally kill her.

Keaton took a hard drag from his cigarette. “Damn it...”

This was a real crisis, even worse than the pregnancy drama from the past few weeks. He couldn't see a good way out.

Maybe it was the anxiety, but before he'd even finished the cigarette, Keaton started heaving again.

His stomach was empty, so he just dry-heaved.

Worried he'd catch a cold, Tarquin helped him back to his hospital room.

Janelle was in the room next door. She had woken up and was sobbing.

Keaton wanted to go comfort her, but Tarquin stopped him. Out of sight, out of mind. Seeing him right now would only make Janelle angrier.

He got Keaton settled, then stood in the hallway and called Elysia.

Elysia had just finished dinner with the kids and was cleaning up in the kitchen. She answered the phone with immediate concern.

“What's wrong with Keaton?”

Tarquin explained the situation with Beatrix. Elysia was completely floored. After a long pause, she finally asked,

“Is Beatrix really pregnant with Keaton's baby?!”

“...Keaton isn't sure. The dates line up, but he hasn't done a paternity test. Beatrix refuses to do one until after they have a marriage license.”

Elysia frowned.

“Why wait until after they're married? Is she hiding something?”

“He hasn't figured out a solution yet,” Tarquin said. “Janelle fainted from the shock. She just woke up and is still in her room crying.”

“Keaton is still dry-heaving.”

“Jess is pregnant, so we haven't dared to tell her about this. I'm not coming home tonight. I'll stay at the hospital to look after them.”

Elysia was supportive.

“Okay, you stay there and be with them. Don't worry about things at home. Call me if anything happens. If you really need me, I'll come over.”

“You don't need to come,” Tarquin said. “You stay home and take care of the kids. I can handle it here. Benjamin is also at the hospital tonight, so I can call him if there's an emergency.”

Elysia let out a long breath.

“Okay, then I'll come see Janelle tomorrow morning after I drop the kids off at school.”

“...Alright.”

After hanging up, Elysia couldn't resist video-calling Winona.

Winona was, of course, eating. She was holding a huge slice of tiramisu, savoring every bite.