Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 297

Why did they take Elijah only to secretly hand him over to Tarquin instead of raising him themselves? There definitely was a scheme in play, perhaps even a conspiracy!

Whoever was stirring the pot, whatever their nefarious plans, they better not mess with his mom. Otherwise...

A fierce glint flashed in Elliot's eyes!

Turning back to Elijah, he said, "Once we get the sample, I'll have it fast-tracked for analysis. We should have the results by this afternoon. If everything goes as expected, we'll find a way to meet up later today."

"Alright, I'll be waiting!"

After hanging up, Elijah hurried to gather the samples. Elysia had stayed at their place before, so finding samples was easy. To be extra careful, he didn't just collect some of Elysia's hair but also her toothbrush.

...

Not long after, the doorbell rang.

Elijah, having received a heads-up from Elliot, rushed to the door first. Seizing the opportunity while picking up a delivery, he handed over the prepared samples to the delivery person.

No sooner had the delivery person left, Elysia received a call from Elliot. He mentioned he was worried she wouldn't have time to cook that day and had ordered breakfast for her and Elijah.

After hanging up, Elysia walked towards the door.

Elijah handed her the delivery. "The delivery person just dropped this off; it's for you."

Elysia was puzzled. "Elliot just called me about this. He knows I get up to make breakfast, yet he went ahead and ordered food. What was he thinking?"

Covering up deeper motives, Elijah replied, "He probably just wanted to spare you the effort, worried you might skip breakfast."

Elysia chuckled. "That Elliot, always so thoughtful."

Watching Elysia's eyes light up with pride at the mention of Elliot, Elijah silently vowed to make her proud, just like Elliot did!

Elysia, blessedly naive, took her sons' words at face value, unaware of the underlying subterfuge.

"Breakfast is ready; I'll go serve up the oatmeal. Could you call your dad to the table?"

Elijah mumbled, "Maybe you could try to woo her, see if you can become her husband."

Tarquin's eyes widened, staring blankly at his son, more shocked than ever! Overwhelmed by surprise, his attempt at maintaining a composed expression failed miserably.

"Elijah, are you joking with me?"

"No, I'm serious." Elijah looked earnestly at him, his tone serious, his expression sincere.

Despite his challenges, Elijah had a moment of clarity. Now that he'd found his mom, he was overjoyed. But to maximize happiness, the best strategy was to offer up his dad.

Currently, his mom and dad had no romantic connection. Even if she found out he was her son, she'd likely think about taking him away from his dad rather than staying together.

Leaving with his mom and leaving his dad behind, or staying with his dad and not acknowledging his mom, neither option was what he wanted.

He wasn't like his brothers, Elliot, Evan, and Emmett, who had always been with their mom and only had her in their hearts.

He wanted both his mom and his dad.