Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 408

Upstairs, the family of three didn't discuss Nola’s affair.

Elysia chatted with Elijah for quite a while, and after tucking the little guy into bed, she finally went to freshen up in the bathroom.

Tarquin, lounging on the living room couch with his long legs crossed, squinted in the direction of the bathroom with a look that was...

like a big bad wolf eyeing a little lamb, like a junkyard dog watching a bone, or like a hunter spotting his prey.

Today, during his catch-up with Keaton, there were a few remarks he found himself agreeing with wholeheartedly.

Keaton had said, “Elysia, that girl, you can tell she’s not the brightest bulb in the box. Not bright, and stubborn to boot! With her like that, if she didn’t have a strong backing, you could have her wrapped around your finger in no time. After all, she can’t outmuscle you, and no matter how stubborn, she won’t flip the script on you! But here’s the rub - she’s got a safety net! Elijah is so fond of her, she just has to wail, and Elijah would be at your throat! Besides, you're currently suspecting she’s the one you’ve been looking for, you surely can’t bear to upset her. So, the best strategy now is to coax her! Don’t go head-to-head with her. You’re just after a few strands of her hair for a paternity test, not making her go bald. Just put your mind to it, and you’ll succeed easily. With her intelligence, can she outplay you? Let’s not even talk about tricking her into bed, snagging a few hairs should be a piece of cake, right?”

Tricking her into bed was out of the question for him; he just wanted a few strands of her hair.

Thus, he decided to follow Keaton’s advice and coax her!

Inside the bathroom, after Elysia had finished freshening up and dried her hair to about 80% dryness, she even made sure to collect all the hair she shed before leaving the bathroom.

Upon exiting, she saw someone sitting on the living room couch.

He had shed his suit and dress shirt, now donning a navy blue round-neck loungewear.

The change of clothes seemed to soften his edges, making him appear much more approachable and gentle.

“Come here,” he suddenly said.

Elysia, in her modest cotton pajamas, her long hair cascading down, looked around uncertainly, “Are you talking to me?”

Tarquin pursed his lips, barely holding back a chuckle at her clueless demeanor, “In this room, it’s just you and me. Who else would I be talking to, a ghost?!”