Chapter 1788
A thirty-year-old man was crying so hard his entire body shook, tears streaming down his face.
Now it was Winona’s turn to be at a loss for words.
She didn’t know how to comfort him, so she stood up to grab a tissue.
The moment she stood, Keaton suddenly shot to his feet and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. Something this huge happened, and you had to carry it all by yourself. You had to go through all that fear alone. I’m sorry, Winona. I’m so sorry p>
Winona stiffened.
She wanted to push him away, but couldn’t bear to do it. Yet, leaving things as they were felt incredibly awkward. After a long moment of silence, she finally spoke. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m the one who should be saying sorry to you p>
“This baby is yours just as much as it is mine. I didn’t discuss it with you. I made the decision to keep it on my own, and I hid it from you this whole time. That was my fault p>
Keaton shook his head, his voice choked with emotion. “You were right! Whatever you say is right. Whatever you do is right. It’s all my fault. I messed up. I failed you and the baby p>
He wept openly, overcome by a mix of intense relief and overwhelming guilt. An unexpected pregnancy was a life-altering event for a woman. Not only did she have to figure out how to handle it entirely on her own, but she also had to live in fear because of him. He felt like an absolute failure of a man.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Keaton accidentally tightened his grip. The pressure made Winona’s ribs ache, and she tried to soothe him. “Okay, okay. I was right, you were wrong. Can you just let go first? You’re hurting me again p>
Hearing that, Keaton immediately released her. His eyes were red, panic flashing across his face. “Does it hurt? Where? Let me see. Should I call a doctor p>
Seeing his hands shaking, Winona let out a quiet sigh. Keaton was entirely a wreck today. She gently forced him to sit back down, handing him the tissue she had grabbed. “I know your head is spinning right now. Let me talk, and you just listen p>
“First, when it comes to this baby, you did nothing wrong. It was an accident, and I’m the one who chose not to tell you. So you don’t need to feel guilty at all. You are not at fault p>
“Second, I am absolutely having this baby p>
“The baby can take your last name. You, Richard, and Janelle can visit anytime, be close to the baby, and even have them stay with the Huber family every now and then p>
“My only condition is that the baby lives with me. Do you agree p>
It took a while for Keaton to calm down. He wiped his face, offering neither a nod nor a shake of his head. He looked at Winona and asked tentatively, “Can’t we raise the baby together p>
Winona shook her head. “That brings me to us p>
“I know you have feelings for me, and I know you’re serious about this, but I’m sorry. I just don’t feel the same way p>
“Don’t overthink it. It has nothing to do with my past, or yours. It’s simply that I don’t see you that way p>
“Deep down, I think you’re a great guy. We can be friends, even family, but we can’t be lovers p>
“You know as well as I do that love can’t be forced p>
“And I’m just not the type of person who can compromise on something like this p>
“I don’t want to settle. I refuse to just make do p>
Ever since she realized Keaton had fallen for her, Winona had seriously considered their dynamic.
On paper, they made perfect sense, and the baby would have an intact home.
But she refused to sacrifice her own chances at true love and a happy marriage just for the sake of the baby.
She loved this baby fiercely. Yet, she didn’t believe a loveless marriage could provide the right kind of love for a child.
She didn’t love Keaton. Forcing a
relationship with him would onlyet And if she wasn’teappy bu wasn’t
leave her suffocated and miserable.
could
she ever raise a happy child?
So, Winona, felt it was best to draw a clear line now. Honesty was the only way forward. Even if they couldn’t be a romantic couple, they could still be family.
A bitter knot tightened in Keaton’s chest. He felt a suffocating wave of despair and
an overwhelming sense of loss. It hurt deeply.
But he had anticipated this outcome.
If Winona actually had feelings for him, she wouldn’t be having this conversation with such composed detachment.
Only friends and relatives could be this painfully rational. Love was always far more fragile and complex.
Still, he understood her completely. Love couldn’t be manufactured.
He would rather face her rejection than force her to trap herself in a relationship she didn’t want.
Rejection wasn’t the end of the world, as long as he had the chance to win her over. And he would. He would pursue her with everything he had.