Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1669

Tarquin silently took a drag from his cigarette. As long as it wasn't because of another woman, there was still a chance. Otherwise, things between him and Winona would be even more difficult.

After a moment, Tarquin asked, "When you first heard Beatrix say she was pregnant with your child, what was your first reaction?"

Keaton let out a heavy breath. "I was surprised. Shocked, actually. I thought it was really mine."

Tarquin watched him. "Did you consider letting her keep the baby?"

Keaton shook his head without a second thought. "No. If it was really mine, I would have told her to get an abortion."

Tarquin stared at him.

Keaton took a drag from his cigarette and explained, "That child was just a tool for Beatrix to use. She didn't love it. And since I didn't even like the mother, the chances of me loving the child were slim to none. Think about it, if its own parents don't love it, how could it ever be happy? If you can't guarantee a child will be born into a world where it's loved enough, what's the point of bringing it into the world? Just to let it suffer?"

"...What if a different woman was pregnant with your child?" Tarquin pressed. "Would you let her keep it?"

Keaton looked at him, confused. "?"

Tarquin decided to be direct. "Let's say, Winona. If Winona was pregnant with your child, what would you do? Tell her to get an abortion or to keep it?"

"...I've never thought about that," Keaton admitted.

"Then think about it now."

Keaton actually did think for a moment, but his answer was evasive. "I don't like to get lost in what-ifs."

It was an answer that answered nothing.

Tarquin fell silent. He wanted to just tell Keaton the truth, but it didn't feel like the right time. For one, he didn't know what Winona wanted. And two, Keaton was stuck in this 'no relationships' mindset. If Keaton found out now, he might impulsively rush to Winona and tell her to terminate the pregnancy, destroying any chance of a different outcome.

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