Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 449

"Daddy, Mommy's hurt. How can you not care about her?!" Elijah frowned, his voice tinged with accusation.

Tarquin turned to look at his son, a thought crossing his mind: Ignorance is bliss.

This was the most direct impression he had of Elysia. Clumsy and naive, yet she had given birth to sons who were nothing short of geniuses, each one more devoted to her than the last. Even Elijah treated her like she was his entire world, cherishing her beyond measure. It was like a fool being adored by a group of giants; the fool, blissfully unaware, yet somehow blessed.

Not wanting his son to be upset, Tarquin playfully ruffled his hair, trying to soothe him, "I was just teasing her. When she comes out, I'll check if it's bad, and if it is, I'll put some ointment on it."

That seemed to satisfy Elijah, who seriously reiterated, "Daddy, you need to step up your game and win Mommy over."

Tarquin couldn't help but inwardly sigh; winning her over was off the table. He swiftly changed the subject, "Elijah, have Elliot and Evan ever mentioned their daddy to you?"

"What about it?"

"They're both so smart, must have gotten it from their dad. I'm curious, what kind of man is he?"

Elijah scowled, "Smart when he needs to be, but oh, so foolish at other times!"

If he weren't, he'd have realized Mommy was the one he's been looking for all along!

Smart yet foolish?

Tarquin, intrigued, was about to ask more when Elijah cut him off, "Don't ask me, I don't want to talk about it."

As soon as Elijah finished speaking, Elysia emerged from the bathroom. The little guy immediately ran over to her with concern. Tarquin, curiosity yet unsatisfied, followed and asked half-heartedly, "Does it still hurt? Need to see a doctor?"

Elysia, seeing right through him, retorted, "No need!"

Then, squatting down to Elijah's level, she asked gently, "Those dark circles are quite something. Did you sleep poorly last night?"

Elijah fibbed, "Woke up a few times, but don't worry, they weren't nightmares."

"A million."

Elysia, stunned, blurted out, "Why are you giving me so much money?!"

"As a thank you for looking after Elijah."

Heart racing, Elysia hesitated to accept the card, blinking rapidly, "Aren't you bankrupt? Where did you get so much money?"

"Just take it, and ask fewer questions."

Despite her reservations, Elysia couldn't help but probe further, "You didn't sell the house, did you?"

Tarquin pursed his lips, and Elysia, thinking he had indeed sold the house, immediately showed concern, "Are you out of your mind? Despite the market being down, this house in our neighborhood could easily fetch 1.5 million! Selling it for a million is ludicrous! And where would you and Elijah go if you sold it?"