Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin) novel Chapter 822

"You know, your mom was always the rational type—kind and good-hearted, but no saint.

Deciding to adopt, she must've thought it through, thoroughly.

If that kid had just regular problems, or if your mom simply took pity or liked him, she wouldn't have considered adoption.

She wasn't even married back then, didn't have you. Suddenly adopting a child, that'd change her life completely!

She definitely weighed the consequences but still chose to adopt.

That just shows how much she really, really loved that kid named Aiden!

It also means the kid's situation was pretty dire!

Just then, the Bradford family was vehemently against her and your dad being together. Oh, do you know why she decided to teach in the rural areas?

First, to fulfill a promise she made to herself, to be there for those kids in the mountains.

Second, to give your dad time to think.

She and your dad were truly in love, but the Bradford family was strongly opposed.

Before she left, she told your dad, if he chose to break up because of the Bradford's interference, she wouldn't hold it against him.

If your dad refused the arranged marriage and still chose her, she'd be loyal to him for life.

Later, she also discussed adopting Aiden with your dad.

If your dad wanted to be with her, besides considering the Bradford family's stance, he had to think about Aiden."

Soren paused, then continued,

"What touched me most about your dad was this very thing. He not only supported your mom in adopting Aiden but even personally talked to Aiden's parents.

Adopting a child is a big deal, and he had no relation or emotional bond with Aiden. Agreeing to adopt was all for your mom.

He loved your mom, deeply, to the point of loving what she loved.

He not only respected your mom for being her own person but also supported her in doing what she wanted!

From that moment, I was completely at ease entrusting your mom to him.

And when your mom wanted to adopt Aiden later, they immediately concluded Aiden was her illegitimate child!

They criticized your mom for being improper, and your dad for being weak.

But I can assure you, Aiden was not your mom's child. She didn't have an illegitimate child. Your mom's life was clean and honest, loving only your dad and having just you."

Tarquin listened quietly, taking his time before asking,

"Did you hear anything about Aiden afterward?"

"No, after learning from your dad that the adoption didn't go through and how it saddened her, I didn't dare ask anymore, afraid to reopen her wounds, to upset her.

After that, my communication with your mom became even less frequent, and when we did talk, it was only about significant events—like her marrying your dad, her pregnancy, your birth, and ensuring you both were safe and healthy."

"...Do you know Aiden's full name?"

"I don't."

Tarquin asked again, "Do you have a photo of Aiden?"