Chapter 12

“You’re getting married?”

Tarquin froze. “Who told you that?” he asked.

Elijah didn’t speak, just stared him down.

It hit Tarquin then, “Nola let it slip?”

Elijah’s brow furrowed ever so slightly as he stayed silent.

Understanding dawned on Tarquin, and his face darkened as he explained, “Don’t listen to her tall tales! Daddy’s not looking to bring you a stepmom. You know I’ve never stopped looking for your birth mother.”

“Not marrying her?”

“Not in a million years!”

“Sure?”

“Positive!”

Elijah’s expression eased a bit, “I don’t like her.”

“Neither do I,” Tarquin said.

Elijah s quivered, “Any news about my mom?”

“Not yet, but rest assured, the second there’s a word, Daddy will tell you.”

Tarquin was torn about that woman! She had been his saving grace who indirectly saved his life, and for that, he was grateful. And he was old–school about love – a one–woman man for life. Since they had been together, then it had to be her and no one else in his heart. He longed to find her, to marry her, to spend a blissful life side by side.

But when Elijah showed up out of the blue, Tarquin’s feelings became a tangle of love and resentment.

She was the only one he’d ever been with; Elijah was surely hers and their fruit of love. So, how could she just abandon their son?

If Nola hadn’t stumbled upon Elijah, he would’ve died on their doorstep! Not only did she abandon him, but also their kid! How cruel she must be!

While Tarquin fumed internally, he saw Elijah calm down. He knelt beside him to caress his cheek.

“Elijah, Daddy’s just as eager to find her. I wish she could appear before us right now, but… some things can’t be forced. Our wanting her doesn’t guarantee she’ll be here.” He said. softly.

It was a bitter pill to swallow that the highest–valued men in the world were both lonely and pitiful since they were abandoned by the same woman.

Elijah’s brow was knotted tight. “Why doesn’t Mommy want you, or me? Did you not do enough, or am I not good enough?”

Tarquin shook his head, “She left when you were just born so how could you be not good enough?

You’re a great kid, Elijah.”

“So it’s you who’s not good enough. Did you upset her? Is that why she left?”

“I…” Tarquin began to defend himself but felt a twinge of guilt. He had his reasons then. He didn’t have a chance to make it to the hospital under the circumstances, and without her, he would’ve died. But she had struggled and resisted. Yes, he had wronged her.

He didn’t know if she left secretly because of that. He was at fault, and he knew it. So he genuinely wanted to make amends and to spend a sincere and loving life with her.

“Elijah, your mom and I… we had our troubles. But believe me, I promised her she’d be the happiest and most honored woman in the world. Still, she vanished… I miss her just like you do.

Elijah looked at Tarquin a moment longer, then, in a huff, turned away to sit by the window, gazing out towards the gate. He often sat there alone, hoping that one day he’d be the first to spot her if she ever returned.

Tarqui. Vatched his son’s lonely silhouette and felt upset. He couldn’t help but curse inwardly at times like this.

Where the hell did that damn woman go?

Their son was sick with longing, and still, she didn’t come back.

Didn’t her heart ache at all by leaving them behind?