Jessamine''s tone was sharp.


    "Mom and Dad didn''t start the rumor, Mrs. Wace did. She doesn''t know the woman is Winona, so you don''t have to worry about Winona''s reputation."


    "But Keaton, you know how much Mom and Dad want a grandchild. How can they handle this kind of emotional whish?"


    "Mom was so excited she couldn''t sleep all night! Dad was up before dawn, spending the entire morning in the family chapel in deep prayer."


    "He was praying for you and Winona, praying that the baby in her womb would be healthy and safe!"


    "They''re in their fifties! This kind of stress is too much for their bodies!"


    "Besides, several of their friends called Mom today to ask about it. Even though she didn''t confirm it, they were already starting to congratte her."


    "Because of your chaotic private life, Mom and Dad have had to put up with a lot of mockery. Today, they finally felt proud for once. They were over the moon."


    "And now you want me to tell them that Winona isn''t pregnant, that there is no grandchild, that it was all just a big misunderstanding?"


    "First of all, they have their pride. The ''big news'' of a grandchild turning into a farce? They''ll be theughingstock of the entire social circle!"


    "Especially Mom. She''s already been looking at birthing centers. How is she supposed to face anyone after this?"


    "You know how those social vultures are they''ll tear Mom to pieces the moment they scent blood in the water. This will make her their new favorite joke."


    "And second, Mom and Dad genuinely want a grandchild. Finding out the truth so suddenly... they''ll be sick with disappointment!"


    After her tirade, Jessamine added, "I know this isn''t entirely your fault it was Mrs. Wace''s mistake-but you''re responsible too. You were the one who started this whole charade with Winona, which made Mom and Dad misunderstand!"


    "If you had kept your distance from Winona, and kept your other women away from her, then even if Mrs. Wace had sent that video, they would have asked you what was going on first. They wouldn''t have just believed it!"


    "It''s because they were already under the impression that you and Winona were together that they were so quick to believe she was pregnant!"


    It seemed like Keaton had nothing to do with it, but in reality, he was at the center of it all.


    If Janelle and Richard hadn''t already


    been


    CouStaken about them being a


    couple they never would have so easily believed that Winona was pregnant with Keaton''s child.


    It was Keaton who had told them he and Winona were secretly dating, and so... the misunderstanding had exploded.


    Keaton''s head was buzzing. "...I know I''m responsible. What do we do now? Winona really isn''t pregnant!"


    "How should I know? You''re making me so angry, if you were here right now, I''d p you!"


    "Jess..."


    Jessamine''s heart softened. "You and your constant drama! We definitely have to tell Mom and Dad the truth, but we can''t just drop it on them. We need to find the right time, the right words, or their health won''t be able to take it."


    Keaton let out a long breath. "You try to keep them calm for now. I''ll think about how


    to break it to them gently."


    "Okay. And by the way, you''d better


    start thinking about how you''re


    going to exin this to Winona. Regardless of the reason, being falselyaumored to be pregnant when she finds out, she''s going to take it all out on you."


    "Right, right, I know."


    Hanging up the phone, Keaton leaned back on the sofa and rubbed his temples.


    He never imagined that his situation with Winona could spiral into this mess.


    Beforest night, there was nothing between them, and now a non-existent baby had already been rumored into existence.


    Themotion was so huge that if he just came clean, his parents would be theughingstock of their social circle.


    Plus, their health couldn''t take the shock. Fainting would be the least of his worries.


    If something worse happened, he''d regret it for the rest of his life.


    But the right time, the right words... that was going to be hard to find.


    How could he tell the truth without humiliating his parents and without breaking their hearts?