Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 532

She stood there, shimmering like a queen, yet exuding the tenderness of a young girl. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Perfection personified!

Elysia twirled on the spot, “What do you think?”

“Mommy, you're so pretty!”

“Mommy's a queen!”

The kids took turns showering her with compliments. Noticing Tarquin's silence, Elijah sneaked up and nudged him, his eyes signaling: Say something!

It was Tarquin's moment to shine!

He swallowed hard, seemingly to placate Elijah, but his compliment was genuinely heartfelt, “Stunning.”

Elysia lifted her chin in pride, “Of course, I'm the queen! This is the masterpiece Emmett picked out for me!”

Tarquin's gaze involuntarily shifted to Emmett. He knew Elliot was the smart one, good with money and a whiz at computers, and Evan was the athlete, but Emmett's talents had eluded him. He had thought Emmett was just following Elysia's lead, unremarkable and soft. But now, he realized he had underestimated the kid. This child had a knack for fashion, a true talent. He'd be unstoppable when he grew up.

“Huh? Why are you wearing that today? I picked out a burgundy outfit for you, matching with us. Go change into it, quick.”

Elysia only then noticed Tarquin's attire, thinking he'd dressed mistakenly and urged him to change.

Evan chimed in, “He said he doesn't like red.”

Elysia was surprised, “You don't like red? But it's festive, especially for the holidays! You don't even like burgundy?”

Tarquin nodded in agreement.

Elysia sighed in disappointment, “Well, alright then. Wear what you have on. I'll see if I can return the other outfit. It was quite expensive, and I can't let it go to waste. You look sharp in this one, but it's a shame you won't match with us.”

Tarquin glanced at the five of them and then at himself, indeed feeling out of place. As if he'd been left out of the team.

Hesitating for a moment, he stood up, “Wait here.”