Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 33

Elysia emerged from the bathroom to find Emmett had whipped up her favorite comfort meal – a bowl of chicken soup. He had sprinkled chopped green onions and cilantro on top, just the way she liked it, along with a pair of sunny–side–up eggs.

Emmett had a natural flair for cooking and a genuine interest that made everything he touched turn to deliciousness.

A warm feeling bubbled up inside Elysia as she approached Emmett and planted a smacking kiss on his cheek.

“Emmett, you’re the sweetest, like a warm hoodie on a chilly day,” she cooed.

Emmett’s cheeks flushed a rosy hue, his shyness evident. But when he noticed the bruise on Elysia’s face, a shadow of concern crossed his features, and his eyes welled up.

“Mommy, can I sleep with you tonight? I wanna be close to you.”

Elliot and Evan, hearing this, turned their hopeful gazes towards Elysia.

“Of course, you can,” Elysia chuckled.

“Yay! I’ll tell Mommy a joke to make her laugh.”

“I’ll give Mommy a massage.”

“I’ll help Mommy fall asleep.”

Laughter and love filled the small room, a testament to their tight–knit bond.

But as she looked at her three little ones, Elysia’s heart skipped a beat, a strange surge of emotion washing over her. It was as if a piece of her complete heart was missing.

it crept up every time they gathered

her

yet she

odd, unsettling feeling.

at the grand Number One Mansion, the atmosphere was starkly different, cold and

was still perched by the window, staring out toward

looked lost and forlorn.

heart ached for him, and he approached gently.

10:25

move, his eyes fixed on

Tarquin tried to coax him. “If you don’t eat, Mommy will

a flicker of life sparked

Mommy knows?” he asked

between mother and child. She knows what

I miss her, does

“Yes… she does.”

I miss her, why doesn’t she come back

sorrow in Tarquin’s heart

why? Where had that heartless woman gone? Why wasn’t she

not like me?” Elijah’s

emphatically. “No, of course not. She must love you very

back if she knows

Elijah’s head. “Maybe she’s caught