Chapter 223

Tarquin was buried in paperwork, not even bothering to lift his head. “Mhm.”

Lowell’s lips twitched slightly. “You know, you haven’t spent the evening with Elijah in ages.”

“Is there anything wrong with Elijah?” Tarquin finally looked up, his expression serious.

Lowell hurriedly said, “Nothing’s wrong with Elijah. I just meant… don’t you think he might be getting a bit upset, you not being home and all?”

Tarquin went back to his documents. “He won’t be Lowell rubbed his temple. “Tarquin, let’s just take a break, yeah? You keep pushing like this, I’m worried you’ll run yourself into the ground”

Tarquin looked up at Lowell, clearly annoyed. “Whoever can’t hack it can take a hike! No one’s forcing them to work overtime! Everyone, out! But I want these reports on my desk before work tomorrow. I need to review them.”

Lowell left the CEO’s office looking defeated and was immediately swarmed by his colleagues.

“Is he still at it tonight?”

Lowell just shrugged. “Yep.”

There were groans all around.

Someone asked mournfully, “What’s gotten into the boss? Did someone tick him off? Can’t we just… I don’t know, try to cheer him up somehow?”

Another chimed in, “If anyone can get the boss to crack a smile, I swear I’d give him my paycheck!”

Lowell sighed. “Sometimes, it takes more than just good intentions.”

Tarquin was upset because of Elysia. But Elysia’s hostility towards Tarquin was so palpable, she saw him as nothing short of a plague.

So, there was no way Elysia would reach out to him. Not to mention trying to cheer him up!

As for Tarquin making the first move? With the way he was, prideful and aloof, that was out of the question. After reaching out only to get rebuffed harshly by Elysia multiple times, there was no way he’d do it again.

Both of them too stubborn for their own good meant the problem remained Meanwhile, the kids were too worried about Elysia to even think about school.

Emmett was on a mission to cook Elysia’s favorite comfort foods around the Evan tried every trick in the book to bring a smile to her face.

Elliot, the quiet one, simply stayed by her side, offering silent support. Elysia could always count on waking up to see him there.

Elysia felt a mix of heartache and reassurance. “Elliot, what time is it?”

“It’s four in the afternoon. Thirsty, Mom?”

She nodded, and Elliot helped her sit up, propping a pillow behind her.

“Where are Evan and Emmett?”

Elliot handed her a glass of water. “We ran out of groceries. Blossom took them to the supermarket.”

After taking a few sips and setting the glass aside, Elysia looked at Elliot. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m feeling much better today.”

Elliot was wise beyond his years. “It’s the heartache that needs healing for you to truly recover.”

“Hmm?”

“I can tell, you have got a lot on your mind. You always say a person’s heart can only hold so much. If it’s too full, it hurts, and can even make you sick. So, why do you keep everything bottled up inside?”

Elysia was speechless.

Elliot might not have been the most talkative kid, but when he spoke, it was always with insight. Despite being only five, he carried himself like the man of the house, the pillar of their little family.