Aside from Sophus, who only regretted the broken engagement because of the family business, everyone else was just there for the show.

Honestly, they were thrilled things had fallen apart. It meant they could keep picking on Beatrix without her getting any fancy new title.

God forbid Beatrix actually became Mrs. Huber-then she''d be the one lording it over them!

Beatrix just sat quietly, brows knit, not saying a word. She ignored Sophus''s thunderous anger, Sophie''s dramatic eye rolls, and her older sisters'' icy remarks.

The Sutton family raged and sniped for ages, but Beatrix stayed silent.

It was like throwing a punch at a pillow-no resistance, just more frustration.

But what could they do? Beatrix neverined, never argued, didn''t even look angry. She just sat there, calm and silent, refusing to take the bait.

Finally, Sophus snapped, "Go to your room and think things over. Try harder-see if you can still win Mr. Huber''s heart!"

Beatrix nodded, stood up, and calmly said goodbye to Sophus and Sophie before heading upstairs.

She was halfway down the hall when she heard her sister sneer, "She really thought she could crawl into his bed and move up in the world. Looks all sweet, but she''s a real piece of work-just like her mother!"

"And the best part? She gave it all up and he still dumped her. What a joke!"

The further Beatrix walked, the quieter theughter got.

She clenched her fists, eyes stinging with angry tears.

Keaton was her ticket out-her one shot at turning things around. She didn''t need love, but she needed Keaton. She had to be Mrs. Huber.

Anyone in her way? Too bad for them.

Beatrix took a shaky breath, whipped out her phone, and typed out a message:

If you can take care of Winona for good, I''m willing to work with you.

She knew she was ying with fire, but she was sure of one thing: Keaton would never let her fall.

Her hand drifted to her stomach, her eyes calcting.

Dusk. Number One Drive.

Tarquin had barely stepped inside when Elysia''s voice rang out from upstairs. "Tarquin! Get up here, now!"

She stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed and looking like a boss about to lecture an employee. She shot him a re and turned back to the bedroom before hefd1 For original chapters go to Find_Novel(./fd1

could reply:  s

In the living room, Evan was ying with Baby and Lan, and looked up with a wicked grin.

"Dad, did you screw up? I think Mom''s gonna kill you!"

Tarquin pressed his lips together. "You''d like that, huh? Your mom roughing me up?"

Evan just snickered, his look saying, You brought this on yourself.

Tarquin sighed. His son had been a little salty with himtely. Last time, he''d given Evan a special visitor''s badge to the Air Force base, so now Evan kept pestering him to actually take him there.  s

But Evan had school! Elysia never allowed the kids to skip without a real reason.

If he snuck Evan out for a field trip and Elysia found out... No way. He''d rather have his son mad at him than his wife.

So, he''d said no. And Evan had been giving him the cold shoulder ever since, clearly rooting for Elysia to go off on him.

Some son.

yton was in the kitchen, apron on, spat in hand, prepping dinner. He nced over and asked, "What''d you do to upset her?"

Tarquin shrugged. "Honestly? No clue. Looks like I messed up, but I don''t know how."

yton grinned. “Well, you better go up and face the music. If she actually starts throwing stuff

yel wee res vel.ne

you.

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Emmett, also sporting an apron, nodded eagerly. "Yeah, Dad, just shout for Grandpa if she gets rough. We''lle save you!"

Everyone knew: when it came to Elysia, Tarquin didn''t have much say at home. And that was just the way things were.