Winona took a calming breath and walked toward the next room.


    Beatrix was secondary;forting Janelle was the priority.


    Getting so upset was bad for her health, and Winona couldn''t let her stay in that state.


    Before she reached the door, Tarquin came out of Janelle''s room.


    Winona greeted him first. "Mr. Bradford."


    Tarquin was a little surprised to see her. "When did you get back?"


    "I was on a red-eyest night. Just got in," Winona replied.


    Tarquin let out a breath of relief.


    "You''re back just in time. We haven''t dared to tell Jess about this, and I''m not very good at talking to Janelle. It''s good you''re here tofort her."


    “Jess is pregnant, we shouldn''t worry her," Winona said. “I''ll take care of Janelle."


    "Okay. Does Elysia know you''re back?"


    Winona shook her head.


    "I got intest night, so she was probably asleep. I didn''t want to bother her. I''ll tell her in a bit."


    "She''sing to see Janelle after she drops the kids off."


    "She mentioned thatst night. How is Janelle doing right now?"


    "...Not great. She and Mr. Huber were up all night."


    Winona frowned. "I''ll go in and see them now."


    "Alright. I''ll have some breakfast sent over in a bit. Try to get them to eat something."


    "I will."


    Tarquin went to find Keaton, and Winona pushed open the door to Janelle''s room.


    Janelle and Richard were surprised to see her. “Winona?!"


    Both of their eyes were red and they looked exhausted. Winona''s heart ached for them.


    "Janelle. Mr. Huber."


    Richard quickly stood up.


    "Why are you back? When did you get here?"


    Winona walked toward the bed.


    "I heardst night that Janelle had fainted, so I bought a ticket and came right away. I just arrived."


    Richard was shocked. “You justnded in Jindale City?"


    "Yes, I came straight from the airport."


    Richard gestured for her to sit. "Quick, sit down and rest."


    Janelle took her hand, her eyes welling up with emotion.


    "We made you worry. You must be exhausted after flying all night. You should have gone home to rest first."


    Winona sat on the edge of the bed, slipping into her role as theforting daughter- figure.


    "I was worried about you and wanted to see you right away. And I wanted toe and apologize to you and Mr. Huber."


    "I''m so sorry for getting your hopes up for nothing...”


    "When we went to that dessert shop, we were actually buying something for Jess.


    You misunderstood. I''m not pregnant..."


    Janelle already knew. She sniffled, her eyes red.


    "It''s not your fault. It''s that bastard Keaton! He''s the one who lied to us!"


    "If he hadn''t lied about you two secretly dating, we never would have believed so easily that you were carrying his child! That worthless Son of a bitch, he even dared to lie to his own father and me!"


    Richard was fuming.


    "As soon as he''s well, I''m going to teach him a lesson he won''t forget!"


    Winona thought, *What''s the point of letting him get better then?*


    She offered a cating smile and quickly said, “He wasn''t lying. We really are dating."


    Janelle and Richard froze. "?!"


    Winona blushed.


    "We''ve been together for a while


    now. It was my idea to keep it a secret from the public because was worried it would affect: Career


    Janelle and Richard were both baffled.


    "But Keaton already confessed. He said he was lying to us."


    Winona exined,


    "That''s because he was afraid of making me angry. He thought I''d me him for


    telling the truth without my permission.”


    Janelle and Richard were speechless. "..."


    Winona held Janelle''s hand.


    "Janelle, you and Mr. Huber can''t


    just listen to Beatrix''s side of theet


    story She doesn''t know anything She''s just spouting nonsense.


    The older couple stared, stunned, for a long moment.