Chapter 132

“I… I just can’t explain,” Elysia stammered, her voice trailing off. She was flustered because of the uncanny resemblance between Elijah and Evan, which threw her off balance and made her care more than she should have.

When you care too much, it throws you into chaos. She had been completely out of sorts just a moment ago.

“So, what? You’re taking out your anger on the kid because you’ve got an issue with me? You don’t want to deal with him, you’d rather see him get into trouble?” The accusation stung.

Elysia rolled her eyes, exasperated. “Are you out of your mind? That’s not how you suspect someone.

If I didn’t care about him, why would I stay out in the cold after he kicked me out? I would’ve just left!”

“And why can you calm down Corbin, but not Elijah?”

“I… When I found Corbin, he was in the midst of a crisis; it was like he was a patient and I was the doctor. But Elijah wasn’t having a crisis today. He was just angry, and anger is an emotion everyone feels. It can trigger health issues, but it’s not an illness, so a doctor can’t treat it. Doctors aren’t miracle workers, and besides… I’m not even a doctor.”

Tarquin glared at her, a deep frown etched on his face, before he eventually turned away. He reached into the glove compartment, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a long, sullen drag.

The smoke made Elysia cough; she disliked the smell of cigarettes. but she knew she couldn’t control him, so she just tolerated it.

“If you really want me to help Elijah, you’d better tell me everything there is to know about him. If you don’t want to share, then sorry, but I’m not equipped to take care of your son!”

Tarquin glanced at Elysia again. She met his gaze unflinchingly.

“You’re an adult. You must understand how much a family environment affects a child’s development.

Discord between parents, constant quarreling, domestic violence… these things impact a child’s mental and emotional growth.”

Tarquin remained silent.

After a few tense seconds of staring each other down, Tarquin was the first to look away. He took another puff of his cigarette and then said, “Elijah has never met his mother. She disappeared shortly after he was born. So, the family conflicts you mentioned weren’t part of his upbringing. What he’s missing is maternal love, an obsession with finding out about his mother.”

“But plenty of kids grow up in single–parent homes and turn out fine. Why is his fixation so intense?”

Elysia was genuinely puzzled.

Not every child is fortunate enough to be raised in the warmth of both parents‘ love. Some lack a father, others a mother, and some are orphans from birth. Yet, most children manage to grow up healthy and happy.

The environment a child grows up in is crucial. Tarquin seemed like a good father in Elijah’s presence.

It didn’t add up that Elijah would end up this way.

00:15 Just like her own sons, Elliot, Evan, and Emmett, who had never known the affection of a father, yet were still growing up happy and well–adjusted.

“Are you sure his psychological issues are just because of his obsession with his mother?”

Tarquin flicked the ash from his cigarette and said, “He’s not much of a talker. The only conversation he’s willing to have is about his mother. He even dreams of her. We’ve seen numerous psychologists, and they all agree that Elijah’s mental health issues stem from his deep fixation on his mother.”

Elysia furrowed her brow in thought. Something didn’t quite add up.

“Has he ever had a full medical check-up?”

“Twice a year.”

“Can I see the reports?”