Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



"Yeah, you've only got a few bucks left. How long will that last you? Look, if you ever need cash in a pinch, just come to me. Anytime you need, I've got you covered."

Tarquin gave her an unreadable look. "...Yeah."

The four little ones pursed their lips, collectively rolling their eyes at Tarquin.

Keep spinning your tales, let's see how you explain your way out of this one.

Then, their gazes shifted back to Elysia.

Silly mommy, bless her heart.

She believes anything he says. Lucky for her, they were on the lookout. Otherwise, she'd be thanking him for the privilege of being conned. The car came to a smooth stop.

The butler, accompanied by the staff, approached to open the car door. "Young Master."

Because of Tarquin's prior instructions, they all referred to him as 'Young Master,' dropping any formal titles.

Tarquin, with a poker face, stepped out of the car and personally lifted each of the little ones down.

Seeing Elysia and the kids, both the butler and the staff were momentarily surprised, but quickly reverted to their professional demeanors.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

The butler smiled ingratiatingly, "They're all waiting for you in the chapel, just missing you now."

It was a century-old tradition of the Bradford family to visit the chapel for blessings before the New Year's Eve dinner.

Since they had made a detour to the Sunshine Community to hang door decorations, they were running a bit late, and the others had already arrived. Elysia felt that visiting the chapel was a solemn affair, and being unrelated to the Bradford family, she opted out.

But Elijah clung to her hand, unwilling to let go, wanting her to join them.

Elysia glanced at Tarquin, who didn't object, so she silently followed.

When the family of six made their appearance before the entire Bradford family, the expressions on their faces were priceless!

Words like 'shocked' didn't do them justice.

Their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, each looking more stunned than the last.

They had their own schemes and complicated feelings!

The New Year's Eve dinner was a family affair, and here Tarquin was, bringing strangers home.

From their matching outfits, it was clear they were a family unit. Was Tarquin planning to marry Elysia?

Was Elysia going to bring her kids into the Bradford family?

Bringing them to the chapel, was Tarquin intending to have the ancestors of the Bradford family acknowledge Elysia's children? How could they? They had no blood relation to the Bradfords, how could these outsiders deserve a place in the Bradford chapel?! Moreover, if Elysia and her kids squeezed into the Bradford family, it would mean a redistribution of the Bradford Group's shares. The pie was only so big, and more people meant less for each.

Hence, after the initial shock, there were frowns all around; no one welcomed Elysia and the little ones into the Bradford family. Luckily, they were brought by Tarquin; anyone else might have faced a harsher reception!

Elysia wasn't scared, nor did she care.

She wasn't scared because Tarquin had her back!

And she didn't care because she had braced herself already.

They didn't like Tarin and Elijah, so of course, they wouldn't be fond of her and her children.

She was mainly there for Elijah; everything else was irrelevant. They didn't care for her and her children, well, the feeling was mutual!

For those she didn't care about, ignoring them was the best response.

Since it was time for the blessings, Gideon didn't press Tarquin on the reason for bringing Elysia's family.

With the day's events still fresh, he didn't dare annoy Tarquin further by sending them away.

So, for the time being, Elysia's presence was tacitly accepted as they all entered the chapel.