Chapter 200
Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin)
So, the higherâups went straight to Gideon, insisting that the Bradford family handle the situation privately and swiftly.
Gideon, of course, didnât want the familyâs reputation tarnished. He promptly announced that Lionelâs death was due to a sudden, fatal reaction to alcohol. Not a whisper about drugs, and he wouldnât dare mention the notorious Military Courtyard One.
Allegra was beside herself with grief, confronting Gideon, demanding justice, and accusing Tarquin of murdering her boy in an act of revenge against her!
But Gideonâs face turned stormy. Not only did he wash his hands of the matter, but he also pressured the Bradfords to bury Lionel postâhaste, forbidding any inquiry into the affair!
Enraged, Allegra stormed the hospital to settle scores with Tarquin.
Elysia was clueless about Lionelâs fate, but as she brought Elijah his breakfast, she stumbled upon the scene.
Allegra was shrieking like a banshee.
âYou killed my son, you bastard Tarquin! I only had one boy, how could you be so cruelâ¦
I admit I wronged Elijah, but heâs still alive, isnât he? Iâve apologized, so why harbor murderous thoughts against my Lionel? If youâre angry, take it out on me, kill me! What kind of man goes after a child?â
Child?
Lionel was 33 for heavenâs sake.
Tarquin, with a cigarette dangling from his fingers, looked on with icy detachment.
âBring evidence and let the cops come for me; otherwise, get lost.â
Allegra roared, lacking evidence to accuse him, but daring him to swear on Elijahâs life that he wasnât involved. âI swear, if Iâve wronged you, may I be struck down by a car the moment I step outside! Do you dare say if you did it, let Elijah drop dead right now?â
Tarquinâs expression darkened ominously. âIf youâre itching for a car accident, I can oblige.â
His calm voice belied the storm raging within. He wasnât just arguing; he was issuing a serious warning, a threat.
Elysiaâs heart pounded. She couldnât believe what she had overheard.
Seeing his chilling demeanor, she felt an icy dread, even from a distance.
âGo on, kill me too!â Allegra yelled at Tarquin.
Suddenly spotting Elysia, Allegra charged at her like she was a punching bag, yelling, âYou meddler! Iâll kill you myself!â
Yesterday, Elysia had saved Elijah from deathâs door, and the Bradfords all knew it.
Elysia stepped back, startled by Allegraâs frenzy. Just as Allegra lunged, a towering figure stepped in front of her, shielding her completely.
Before Allegra could get close, Tarquin sent her flying with a kick. He didnât glance at Allegra but turned to her husband, his voice heavy with an impending tempest, âIf you want to keep your place in Jindale City, take her and get out. Now!â
Allegraâs husband, pale as a ghost, hauled her away without a word.
Down the corridor, Allegraâs voice echoed threats of doo âYou bitch, you wait! Youâre gonna die! If you can cure Elijah, youâre lucky, and if you canât, youâre gonna die! Youâre dealing with a demon now. I think youâve got a few days to live! You will die worse than my Lionelâ¦â Elysiaâs face was ghostly pale, drained of color.
Tarquin turned to her, frowning. âScared?â
She was terrified, not by Allegra, but by the implications of her words.
Had Elijahâs nearâdeath yesterday driven Tarquin to⦠to kill Allegraâs son?
Was he a murderer?
Elysia gazed up at Tarquin, her eyes wide with terror.