Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 381

She knew that trying to snatch Elijah from him was like trying to steal a steak from a lion's mouth—risky business! But she wasn't scared. After all, nobody gets out of this world alive, so why not be bold? Go for it!

Tarquin had no idea what was going through her mind. Seeing her silent, he reminded her again, "Elysia, it's lunchtime."

Elysia sniffled, her thoughts retreating as she looked away from his face, "I'm not hungry. You go ahead."

She didn't want to engage with him, not in the slightest. But she knew that if she wanted to sneak Elijah away, she'd have to deal with him.

Tarquin tried to persuade her, "You have to eat something, at least a little."

"I've got no appetite. I don't want to eat. I'll stay with Elijah; you guys go ahead!"

Tarquin's expression turned complex as he looked at her, "Is it because you're worried about Elijah, or are you mad at me?"

Elysia furrowed her brows and turned to face him, "Why should I be mad at you?"

"…I was wrong about what happened back then. I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Do you think your 'sorry' means anything? Everyone can say 'sorry,' it's worthless. And after doing what you did, saying sorry is pointless."

Tarquin's face flushed with embarrassment, "…So, you’re finally acknowledging it was you back then?"

Elysia continued to deflect, "I'm just speaking up from a woman's perspective. What's done is done; apologies are useless now. You'd have to feel the same pain she did for it to count as an apology!"

Tarquin frowned deeply, "If I could, I would take on ten times, a hundred times more pain than you, just to make up for the hurt you went through! However you want to hurt me, I'll take it!"

Elysia stressed, "Not me, her!"

Elysia snapped, "What right do you have to say it was me? What proof do you have? Forget it, I don't want to argue. Just leave me alone."

"Elysia…"

"Please, just go!"

Tarquin stood rooted to the spot, unmoving, until Elysia said coldly, "I need to review Elijah's medical records. I need a quiet environment. You being here is distracting. Please, leave!"

Tarquin knew she genuinely didn't want to talk or even see him! Though he felt a surge of anger, he restrained himself, "I'll go, but you have to eat."

He placed the lunch he'd bought from Jim's Diner next to Elysia, practically dragged her to the bathroom, and made sure she washed her face and hands. He then forced her to eat a little before leaving.

He didn't say much more; he was waiting for the paternity test results to come out tomorrow. He planned to have a serious conversation with her with the report in hand!