Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 347

Glancing in Elysia's direction for a moment, he diverted his gaze. He casually tossed his cup into the sink, then strolled over to the bathroom to relieve himself. Elysia, catching a glimpse of him unbuckling his belt, instantly flushed a deep shade of crimson, her embarrassment palpable! She was utterly flustered! Elijah's little socks slipped from her grasp, landing softly on the floor! Overwhelmed, Elysia couldn't even think about the socks, hurrying out of the bathroom.

"Who's there?!" A thud echoed from behind, likely Tarquin hearing the commotion and attempting to follow her, only to take a tumble. Elijah reappeared, standing at his bedroom door, inquiring, "What's up, Mom?" Elysia, cheeks ablaze, stammered, "Your dad's... um, using the bathroom." "Did he fall?" Elijah, concerned, headed toward the bathroom.

Indeed, Tarquin had fallen. He was so drunk, his body limp as if boneless. Elijah rushed to his aid, "Dad!" Tarquin, touching Elijah's face, recognized him, "Ah, Elijah." "It's me. You're drunk and you fell!" "Fell? Oh, no worries, son. Dad's here to protect you!" Struggling to his feet, Tarquin aimed to prove his strength to Elijah, despite his inebriation.

Elysia, fearing for Elijah's safety, quickly lent her support. Tarquin, however, shrugged her off, "And you are?" Elijah quickly clarified, "That's Mom!" Tarquin's expression shifted, "Impossible! I've yet to find her!" Before Elijah could explain, Elysia snapped, "I'm Elysia! You specifically sought me out to look after Elijah."

"Elysia? Oh, the idiot!" What? Biting her lip, Elysia fought the urge to slap him senseless. Who's the idiot here? "You must've been raised on sheer nerve and stupidity! Dumb and ugly!" Tarquin added insult to injury. Elysia gave him a lethal glare, restraining herself only for Elijah's sake.

Elijah, caught in an awkward spot, first kicked his foolish father, then turned to Elysia, "Mom, he's drunk. Let it slide." But before Elysia could respond, Tarquin interjected, "Of course, I won't stoop to argue with an idiot. That would only lower my IQ!" Elysia and Elijah were left speechless.

Before they could react, Tarquin sighed deeply, squatting down to address Elijah in a drunken stupor, "Elijah, are you giving up on your dad?" "…I'm not." "Do you like Elysia that much? Her son said it was your idea to be her son. Do you like her more than your dad?" "…"

"Elijah, I can't find your mom. She might be so mad at me she doesn't want me anymore. What if you don't want me either? What am I supposed to do?" His vulnerability was a stark contrast to his usual fierceness, resembling more a child than the adult he was. Sober, he was a tyrant; drunk, he was a child, confiding in Elijah as if he were a little boy seeking comfort from an older brother. His words were laced with jealousy and hurt.

Elijah, furrowing his brows, assured him, "I do like her, and yes, I chose to be her son. But I never thought of abandoning you. I'll always be by your side, no matter what." Elysia, catching Elijah's words, felt an unexpected surge of emotion, a mix of warmth and constraint.