Chapter 232

Tarquin’s mood plummeted as he read Gideon’s reply. It was clear as day that Gideon was using the ceremony as leverage against him and Elijah.

“Let’s not respond for now,” he decided, ending the call and lighting up a cigarette to calm his nerves.

The current state of affairs made it impossible for Elijah to participate in the speech and acknowledgment ceremony. It would only serve to turn him into the butt of their jokes. And if the stress triggered another episode…

Suddenly, a crash from the living room cut his thoughts short. Tarquin quickly snuffed out his cigarette and rushed to investigate.

Elijah stood at the kitchen doorway, surrounded by the remnants of a shattered ceramic spoon.

“Are you okay, Elijah? Did you hurt yourself?” Tarquin asked, rushing over.

Elijah shook his head.

“Why were you trying to get a spoon by yourself? What did you need it for?” Tarquin inquired, “I wanted to eat,” Elijah replied calmly.

“Do you remember what I told you just now?” Tarquin prodded after a pause.

Elijah frowned slightly, taking a moment before responding, “I want to meet her, but only if there’s nothing between you two.”

Tarquin’s heart skipped a beat. Was Elijah considering accepting Elysia?

He couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, the tension from before dissipating entirely, leaving only joy.

Elijah’s willingness to meet Elysia was a significant step forward, something Tarquin hadn’t dared to hope for.

Elysia’s cooking must have really won him over, he thought with a sense of pride.

“I wouldn’t lie about something like this. You can see for yourself if there’s anything to worry about. Eat now, and I’ll contact her to arrange a meeting,” Tarquin assured Elijah, who then nodded in agreement.

After setting Elijah up with a fresh plate at the dining table and laying out the array of dishes Elysia had prepared, Tarquin couldn’t help but watch Elijah eat with a sense of fatherly contentment. It was a simple joy to see his child eat heartily, Once Elijah finished, Tarquin asked, “When do you want to see her?”

“Whenever suits her,” Elijah responded indifferently.

With that, Tarquin set about cleaning up, his mood significantly brighter. However, when he tried to reach out to Elysia, he realized he had blocked her number in a moment of pique.

Embarrassed but determined, he unblocked her and attempted to make contact, only to be met with rejection and eventually blocked in return.

In a fit of frustration, Tarquin reached out via WhatsApp, trying to salvage some dignity by claiming it was Lowell’s idea.

But his attempts at contact were ignored, and Lowell’s subsequent call only added insult to injury, 10:56 revealing Tarquin’s plea had been in vain.

Frustrated and with nowhere left to turn, Tarquin demanded, “Lowell, pick me up, we’re going to see Elysia!”

His pride was the least of his concerns now; his son’s well–being took precedence.