Chapter 1790
Winona pressed her lips together, her eyes narrowing. “Mr. Huber, I can see exactly what you’re trying to pull here p>
Keaton remained silently defiant.
Winona shot him down instantly. “You can bond with the baby all you want. But moving in with me? Absolutely not p>
Keaton gave a sheepish grin. “But if we don’t live together, how are we supposed to spend enough time bonding p>
“You don’t need to live together to bond,” Winona countered. “And do you really think I don’t know what you’re up to? You think I’m stupid p>
“I thought they said pregnancy brain lasts for three years,” Keaton quipped. “Why didn’t you get it p>
Winona just stared at him in disbelief.
Downstairs, Richard’s booming voice suddenly echoed up. “Where’s Winnie? Where’s my grandbaby p>
Hearing that, Winona quickly stood up and headed for the door. They had said everything that needed to be said, and she was eager to escape being alone with Keaton.
Keaton immediately scrambled after her. “Slow down. Let me help you p>
Winona opened her mouth to decline, but Keaton cut her off. “My parents are losing their minds today. They’re treating you like a national treasure. As far as they’re concerned, you’re practically helpless right now p>
“If I don’t escort you downstairs, they’re going to tear into me for not taking care of you p>
“Knowing my dad’s temper, he might actually kick me across the room p>
“There’s a huge crowd out there. Just play along and save me some face p>
“Besides, we’re having a baby together. We have to at least put on a show of being an affectionate couple in front of everyone, right p>
Winona frowned, confused. “Why do we need to put on a show p>
Keaton sounded entirely justified. “To stop the gossip! Otherwise, people are going to start speculating about how this baby came to be, and what’s going to happen next. They’ll definitely be whispering behind my parents’ backs p>
“Plus, you said it yourself. If we can’t be a couple, we can be family. I’m the father, you’re the mother. That makes us family, doesn’t it p>
“What’s wrong with family helping each other walk? Is there some reason you’re embarrassed p>
Winona found herself completely outmaneuvered. Refusing his help now would only make it seem like she had something to hide.
Reluctantly, she let him take her arm. As they walked, she reminded him, “Make sure you talk to Richard and Janelle about what we discussed earlier the baby staying with me p>
“Don’t worry,” Keaton replied. “Your word is basically law to them now. They’ll listen
to whatever you say. You have way more influence than I do p>
They reached the elevator bank just as Booker, Gale, and their fathers were standing there.
Winona immediately tried to pull her arm back, wanting to put some distance between herself and Keaton.
Instead of letting go, Keaton grabbed her hand, lacing their fingers together in a tight, deliberately showy grip.
Flushing with awkwardness, Winona tugged twice but couldn’t break his hold. She had no choice but to offer a polite greeting. “Hello, Mr. Murphy. Hello, Mr. Windham p>
Cormac Murphy and Mr. Windham
looked at her with warm,
grandfatherly affection You’re a
good girl, they praised. “You’ve done
an incredible thing for the Huber family p>
“We were just saying we want Booker’s and Gale’s girlfriends to spend more time with you. Maybe some of your good luck will rub on them. We hope you wont find them too annoying p>
Winona offered a polite smile. “Not at all. Being pregnant at home gets boring
anyway. They’re welcome to come over whenever they like p>
Both older men nodded approvingly. “Such a good girl. And Keaton’s a good man, too. You’re both wonderful p>
Their gaze shifted to Keaton, filled with newfound respect. “Keaton, you’ve really stepped up. We completely underestimated you p>
Keaton beamed, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. Behind their fathers, Booker and Gale were grinding their teeth, shooting daggers at Keaton.
From the look of it, they were ready to drag Keaton into an alley and beat him senseless the moment they got the chance.
Because Keaton had suddenly produced an heir, the two of them were enduring absolute hell.