Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 307

Elliot's feelings for Tarquin couldn't hold a candle to those Elijah had. In a gentle whisper, he said, "Mommy won't stay here for long, buddy. If you wanna stick with Daddy, you can't always be by Mommy's side."

"Can't Mommy just... not leave?"

"I'm afraid that's not an option. What happened back then hurt her too deeply. She just can't bear to stay."

"What if Daddy realizes his mistakes, apologizes, and even falls for Mommy again?"

Elliot paused for a moment before speaking, "That would depend on Mommy. If she forgives him and falls for him, too, she might stay. But that's a long shot. He hurt Mommy too deeply! And as it stands, he doesn't have feelings for Mommy, making an apology seem unlikely."

Elijah quickly said, "That's because Daddy doesn't know Mommy is the one he's been searching for all along. If he knew, he'd change his attitude towards Mommy right away."

Elliot's face softened, "We can't tell them the truth just yet. If they knew, Tarquin would surely go all out to win Mommy over. But his doing so might not stem from genuine love but rather guilt and remorse over the past.

Moreover, his all-out pursuit might scare Mommy off. She might not only decide against staying, but she might also take us and leave immediately. There's also a chance that Mommy, thinking of you and wanting to give us a complete family, might settle for Tarquin out of desperation. That's not what we want, and it's certainly not what you want, right? We all hope Mommy can be happy and joyful, not sacrificing her happiness for us."

Elijah nodded vigorously. "I want Mommy to be happy and joyful, too."

"So the best case scenario is for them to fall for each other without knowing the full truth. The kind of love that's genuine, without any other factors involved. Tarquin wouldn't need to feel guilty or obligated to make up for the past by taking responsibility for Mommy! And Mommy wouldn't have to compromise her happiness to be with him for our sake!

If they fall in love with each other genuinely, without any external factors, that's when Mommy can truly be happy, and Tarquin too. Do you understand, Elijah?"