Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 14

Nola was about to say something when Tarquin added, “Elijah is in a bad state right now, so you should not come to my house without an emergency in the future. And if you must, call me ahead of time.”

Nola’s eyes widened in disbelief. So Tarquin’s house became off–limits to her just because Elijah made a scene? How was she supposed to differentiate herself from the swarm of women buzzing around Tarquin?

No, this just wouldn’t do.

“Tarquin, I-” she continued.

“Elijah comes first, end of the discussion,” Tarquin cut in; his tone was icy and final, effectively showing her the door. It was a clear punishment for her reckless banter in front of

his son.

He had made it crystal clear that marriage was off the table for them, and yet she dared to rattle Elijah with her wild claims! Besides, he’d never been too keen on having Nola over in the first place.

With a heart full of frustration, Nola knew better than to defy Tarquin when he was this riled. up. In that case, she could just leave for now.

Tarquin turned to his butler and issued a new directive, “From now on, if she shows up, don’t let her in before you call me.”

“Understood, sir.”

Benjamin Lawson arrived in a flurry of urgency.

and a doctor, had come to discuss Elijah’s troubling condition.

from Elijah for the time being, “Considering how Elijah reacted today, his bipolar disorder seems to be worsening.

he’s been on his medication consistently.”

about the meds. Elijah’s biggest issue is psychological. The kid’s fixation on his mother runs too deep. If we could somehow

a cigarette, his frustration

had even gone so far as to bring a stand–in to play the part of Elijah’s mother, but the boy was too sharp. He saw right through the

communicate with him, she might reach into his world and help heal his trauma. And even if full recovery isn’t possible, she’ll be there to prevent his condition

you have anyone

head, but if you’re okay with a stranger in

Focus on Elijah.”

for his son, let alone deal

it when

buzzed with urgency, “Sir, it’s bad news. That

“Bolted?!”