Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Winter in the North is known for its blizzards, so rain during this season is a sure sign something's off. This unusual weather only heightened Elysia's concerns for Tarquin, who'd been acting distant and preoccupied.

With worry nagging at her, Elysia bolted out of her apartment building, umbrella in hand. The moment the fierce wind flipped her umbrella inside out, her heart nearly leaped out of her chest!

Lightning tore across the sky, followed by the deep rumble of thunder, causing Elysia to slip and fall to the ground.

A security guard patrolling the neighborhood spotted her and rushed over with his umbrella.

"Ms. Thorne? Are you alright?"

Helped to her feet by two guards, they commented, "Out in such heavy rain at night, and in slippers no less?"

Only then did Elysia realize her choice of footwear. In her haste, she'd forgotten to change her shoes. Now, her feet were soaked and cold.

"You're soaked through, let's get you back inside. Change into something dry and warm up, you don't want to catch a cold," one guard suggested. Shaking her head, Elysia declined, "Thanks, but I need to head out, it's urgent."

Ignoring the guards' concerned looks, Elysia, umbrella in hand and slippers squelching, made her way to the exit.

As thunder continued to roll and the wind howled like an angry deity, Elysia's heart ached. It felt as though a giant hand was squeezing her heart, making it hard to breathe.

Arriving at the beach around 2 a.m., Tarquin still hadn't replied to her messages.

She tried calling him, but his phone was off.

Why would he turn off his phone? Was it out of battery, or did he do it intentionally after seeing her message?

She had confessed her feelings to him, but did he even hear her? If so, why was there no response?

Was he alright?

With her mind buzzing, Elysia pushed the car door open and dashed into the pouring rain.

The taxi driver, noticing she left her umbrella behind, called out, but Elysia's figure had already disappeared into the night...

The rain intensified, and the desolate beach was empty. Normally, Elysia wouldn't dare venture here at this hour, not even for all the money in the world. Yet, tonight, consumed with thoughts of Tarquin, she forgot her fear.

Meanwhile, Tarquin stood on the beach in the rain, the stormy weather mirroring his turbulent emotions.

He looked up, allowing the rain to wash over his face, hoping it could cleanse his inner turmoil.

Two unexpected messages tonight reminded him of Elijah's mother's existence.

Regardless of whether she returned, just the thought of her filled him with guilt.

He had promised to make her the happiest and most honored woman in the world.

Though he harbored resentment for her abandoning Elijah, it didn't deter his resolve to take responsibility.

Initially, his aim was to reunite their family. However, he realized that responsibility didn't equate to love, and compensation wasn't the same as affection.

Still, he wanted to offer her the choice, a form of compensation and a way to honor his word.

He hoped to steer clear of any romantic entanglements until her return, offering compensation if she chose not to stay with him. Then, he could move on with his life.

Unfortunately, emotions aren't easily controlled. His feelings for Elysia surpassed his grasp, uncontrollably veering into love.novelbin

He loved her to the brink of madness.