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.

was not new; it crept up every time

in her heart.

yet she couldn’t

odd, unsettling

at the grand Number One Mansion, the atmosphere was

carried a plate of spaghetti upstairs, where Elijah was still perched by the window, staring out toward the front

looked lost and

ached for him, and he approached gently. “Elijah, come on, eat something.”

10:25

his eyes fixed on the doorway.

on a small table in front of Elijah, Tarquin tried to coax him.

Mommy, a flicker of life sparked in Elijah’s

you think Mommy knows?” he asked

knows what you’re feeling, and she

does she know

“Yes… she does.”

knows I miss her, why doesn’t she come

Tarquin’s

that heartless woman gone? Why wasn’t she

like me?” Elijah’s

of course not. She

doesn’t she come back if

stroked Elijah’s head. “Maybe she’s caught up in something right