Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin) novel Chapter 293

Tarquin furrowed his brows, a tension in his voice. "It's about Elijah's mom."

"Elijah's mom?"

"Yeah."

"What about her?"

"Well, we talked about... how he came into the world."

"And then?"

"I think he's pretty mad at me now."

Elysia was growing impatient, watching Tarquin struggle to articulate his thoughts. Finally, she burst out, "Can you just spit it out already? What did you talk to him about? Why is he mad at you?"

Tarquin's expression darkened, and after a few moments of silence, he began, "I didn't know Elijah's mom before the incident. Back then, something happened, and that's how Elijah came to be."

Elysia blinked in confusion. "Didn't know her? Something happened?"

"I, uh, was drugged at a party. Couldn't control myself."

Elysia's face went through a whirlwind of emotions. "You mean, you forced yourself on Elijah's mom...?"

"Yeah."

Elysia held her breath, stunned! He forced himself on her, resulting in Elliot, Evan and Emmett.

And he did the same to Elijah's mom, leading to Elijah?

Was this his habit with women, using force?

Feeling her touch, Elijah shifted closer, wrapping her arm in a tight embrace.

Looking at his face, so similar to Elliot and Evan's, Elysia felt a surge of protectiveness.

She had thought Elijah's mom left due to a typical lovers' quarrel, like many couples who part ways. But to learn that Tarquin had forced himself on her, resulting in Elijah, was horrifying.

How could anyone be happy or willing under those circumstances? Clearly not!

No wonder Elijah's mom had left. Just like Elysia wouldn't stay with someone who had violated her, married or not.

Elijah's mom's departure was his father's doing. And now, the longing and sadness Elijah felt were also his doing. He had wronged Elijah's mom and Elijah himself.

Elysia's disdain for Tarquin deepened. He hadn't just ruined her; he had ruined Elijah's mom's life too. He was a complete and utter jerk!

Muttering curses under her breath, Elysia tried to gently withdraw her arm, but the moment she moved, Elijah clung tighter, enveloping her in a sleepy embrace.