Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 349

"Elijah, can't seem to shut your eyes, huh?"

Looking at his alertness, it was clear he hadn't been sleeping but had dashed out of his bedroom fully awake.

Elijah didn't nod or shake his head, silently acknowledging it.

A lot had gone down today. He had just reunited with his mom when his clueless dad managed to upset her. Just when mom had been cheered up, his dad drowned his sorrows in booze...

His heart ached for his mom and then fretted over his dad. It was a lot for him to worry about.

Elysia's eyes were full of concern for Elijah. She led him back to the bedroom, had him lie down, and administered a shot to force him into sleep.

He was at the age where growing kids need their rest, and staying up late was definitely off the table!

Right before falling asleep, Elijah said, "Mom, dad's a pitiful guy."

"Hmm?"

"People who love him are few, yet there are many who wish him harm. All these years, he's had no one to share his true feelings with. Through all seasons, he's been on his own."

Elysia didn't know how to respond, finding it hard to muster sympathy at the moment.

"He really misses mom."

Seeing the kid's cautious yet sincere gaze, Elysia was torn and confused. Why was he telling her all this?

Was he mistaking her for his biological mother?!

Elysia paused, even more unsure of how to proceed.

Elijah added, "He might seem tough, but he's not bad at all. He's really a good guy. He's tough because he's surrounded by bad people! If he's not tough, the bad guys will hurt him! He only acts tough so the bad guys will fear him!"

"...Yeah."

Elijah urgently asked, "Mom, dad was wrong about things in the past, but... can you give him another chance to make things right?"

Past issues?!

But looking at Elijah now, she found herself reconsidering.

If it were up to her, she might actually compromise, for Elijah's sake, and stay with that jerk!

"Bang! Thud—"

Noise came from outside the door again, surely Tarquin stumbling out of the bathroom.

Predictably, he must've fallen again.

Elysia pressed her lips together, a thousand and one reasons not to care, but for little Elijah's sake, she got up to check anyway.

The living room was pitch black!

Elysia puzzled, "Why the heck did you turn off the lights?!"

She reached for the light switch, but before her fingers could touch it, a tall shadow loomed, engulfing her in darkness!