Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 448

Elijah was clearly exasperated and rolled his eyes. "Who wants such a clueless dad anyway? Take him away!"

With his usual seriousness, Tarquin replied, "You asked Elliot and Evan to help you find your mom. You must really miss her. But what if, after Elysia and I get together, she suddenly comes back?"

Elijah shot back, "And what if you find my mom, and she's already with someone else? What then?"

Tarquin frowned, "Then I guess I'd have to make it up to her in some other way."

Elijah retorted, "Likewise, if she comes back after you've already gotten together with my mom, then make it up to her in some other way. Stop using her as an excuse. Your relationship with Elysia has nothing to do with anyone else. It's between the two of you!"

Frustration evident, Elijah pressed on, "Don't you even want to try? I'm not forcing you, I just want you to give it a shot."

Mr. Bradford internally resisted the idea but outwardly reassured, "No, I've made a promise to Elijah, and I won't go back on my word."

Elijah, pleading earnestly, said, "Dad, what Elliot told you is true. Mom's not into you, but I talked her into giving you a chance. It wasn't easy to get this opportunity. Can't you step up a bit?"

Tarquin was speechless.

With a stern look, Elijah assured him, "You'll thank me for this in the future. Believe me."

Tarquin squinted, "What do you mean?"

Elijah didn't elaborate. Instead, he thought of Nola, "Now that Dad knows the truth about how Nola saved me back then, it's best to keep your distance. Even if it hadn't been her, someone else would have brought me to you. She’s not really my savior in the true sense."

Tarquin's brow furrowed at the mention. Knowing the truth hadn't made him think any less of Nola; his focus was on the mysterious figure who had orchestrated everything from the start, five years ago.

Elijah, worried for her, called out, "Dad, Mom hit her head!"

Tarquin, sarcastically, offered, "Great, she might as well knock herself out. I'll cover the funeral expenses."

Elysia, through gritted teeth, retorted, "Thanks, but no thanks! I plan on living a long life!"

She turned to re-enter the bathroom and – bang – hit the frame again! Despite the pain, under Tarquin's disdainful gaze, she stubbornly claimed, "It doesn't hurt! Not at all!"

With a dark face, she retreated into the bathroom.

Elijah and Tarquin exchanged looks, both puzzled not just about Elijah's affection for her but also what that mysterious figure saw in her. Tarquin thought, if it weren't for Elijah, he'd gladly hand her over himself.