Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 358

Elysia's consciousness slowly trickled back, the events of the previous night replaying in her mind like a broken record. Her breathing quickened with panic...

He found out!

He mentioned the kids!

No, no, no, run, just run!

Just like last night, when she realized he had recognized her, her first instinct was to flee!

If you can't beat them, run. That had been her plan all along!

But now, she was wrapped tightly in Tarquin's arms, and any slight movement from her caused his eyebrows to twitch in response.

Elysia feared waking him would spell the end of her escape, so she first silenced her phone, then held her breath, lying quietly in his embrace for a while.

Once she was sure he had fallen back into a deep sleep, she carefully moved his arm from around her waist.

She tiptoed out of bed, and like a thief in the night, she escaped the bedroom, darting into the study.

Only when she had locked the door behind her did she dare to breathe heavily!

Slumping against the door, her body felt limp and powerless…

"Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding..."

Her phone rang again, this time it was Blossom calling.

Elysia knew Blossom must have woken up and panicked not finding her at home. She steadied her heart and answered,

"Hello?"

Blossom sounded frantic,

"Elysia, where did you run off to? I woke up and couldn't find you anywhere."

"I... had a bit of an emergency last night, I'm at Elijah's place now."

"Oh? You went to Elijah's? Is something wrong with him?"

"He's fine. It's just... Blossom, could you take a day off today? Don't take the triplets to school. I need you to start packing, I'll be home soon."

Blossom was confused, "Packing? Are you moving?"

"Yeah, get Elliot, Evan, and Emmett up and have them start packing too."

Blossom sounded worried, "Elysia, what happened?"

"It's a long story, I'll explain when I get back. I'm okay, don't worry. Just do as I say."

"..."

"Mommy, do you want me to call a doctor?"

"No!" Elysia quickly refused.

Elijah hurriedly asked, "Should I wake up daddy to get you some medicine?"

Call him?

"No, no, no, I'm... I'm fine."

Elysia responded in a flurry to Elijah, quickly wrapping a scarf around her neck to temporarily hide the marks.

She opened the bathroom door and told Elijah,

"No need to wake up your daddy; he had a bit too much to drink last night. Let him sleep in. Don't worry about me, I just got a bit of an allergic reaction from some bug bites, it's nothing."

Elijah still looked worried, "An allergic reaction? Are you sure you don't need a doctor?"

"No, I know what to do."

"Does it hurt?" Elijah asked.

Elysia shook her head, "No, it doesn't hurt."

"Does it itch?"