Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin) novel Chapter 877

"Okay, got it."

Keith gave his little one's cheek an affectionate pinch, eyes brimming with fatherly love, "Daddy's gonna take you home."

"Huh?! Isn't this our home? Mom and my brothers all live here, oh, where's Mommy?"

Keith was momentarily at a loss for words.

Elysia quickly wiped away her tears, "Sweetie, Mommy's here."

Only then did the little one notice Elysia, her eyes lighting up, "Mommy!"

Elysia reached out and took her daughter from Keith's arms, holding her tight for the first time in what felt like forever.

It was only then that she felt truly at peace.

Her heart, which had been hanging by a thread, could finally rest.

The little one's curiosity was piqued by Tarquin, tilting her head adorably.

Tarquin's heart tightened as he cautiously called out, "Sweetie."

"Do I know you?" she asked.

Tarquin was speechless.

Turning to Keith, she inquired, "Daddy, why does Mr. Handsome look so much like my brothers?"

Tarquin's heart shattered.

His daughter called him Mr. Handsome, but Keith was Daddy...

The atmosphere in the living room shifted dramatically.

From touching to melancholic.

After a brief pause, Elliot, seemingly ignoring the awkward question, suggested to Elysia and the little one, "Mom, why don't you and sweetie go upstairs for a chat? Maybe wash her face and do her hair."

"Sweetie, head up with Mom for now. We'll come find you later."

It wasn't the right time to address certain issues with the little one present.

The emotional moment was over; it was time to tackle the real issues at hand.

Without further questioning, the little one obediently nodded, "Okay."

Elysia gave Tarquin a sympathetic glance before leading her daughter and Emmett upstairs.

Keith was no pushover, and the two quickly came to blows.

Evan made a move to intervene, but Elliot held him back, "Let them have it out. Cool off a bit."

Both men were burning with rage, needing to vent before any real discussion could happen.

Keith was livid that his carefully hidden treasure had been returned to their custody so easily.

To Tarquin, the fact that his own daughter called someone else Daddy was infuriating.

Despite Keith's genuine affection, Tarquin couldn't help but resent him.

In his eyes, Keith was a kidnapper since his daughter had been taken, not found.

And now that his daughter didn't recognize her real father, Keith was to blame!

Both men were seething, so Elliot let them fight.

They were bound to come to blows over their daughter eventually. If not today, then someday.

Better to let them hash it out now. Fighting can be cathartic, and once the dust settles, they might be ready to talk.

With grievances aired and anger vented...