Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



The three little ones all turned their heads in unison, eyes wide with curiosity.

Elliot said calmly, "The Bradford family only cares about their own interests. In their eyes, Dad wanting to add us to the family tree is just a move to divide the inheritance. Thus, our existence is a threat to their piece of the pie, naturally, they're against it.

But mere objections won't do. So, they play the card of our legitimacy. If we're considered illegitimate, then Dad trying to make us official would hit a roadblock.

To the Bradfords right now, our mom is the homewrecker, and Daphne is considered Dad's legitimate wife."

The trio pursed their lips, Evan, always the sharp-tongued, said, "Are the Bradfords idiots?"

Elliot explained, "Back in the day, Gideon insisted Dad marry Daphne, but the Thorne family pushed our mom to take her place secretly. Of course, this had to be kept under wraps. Probably, aside from the Thornes, our mom, and us, no one else knows the truth."

Emmett, with his baby voice, asked, "Dad doesn't know?"

Elliot curled his lip in disdain, "If he knew, he wouldn't still be in the dark about his marriage status, would he?"

Evan was shocked, "He doesn't know? But he and mom recognized each other ages ago, didn't they?"

Elliot said, "He probably just remembers mom as the girl he hassled at the airport six years ago. As for the fact she's his wife? Clueless.

If he knew, he would've brought up the whole stand-in bride issue with the Thornes today. But he didn't say a word. He still has no idea who his real wife is."

The other three: "..."

Some pursed their lips tighter, others rolled their eyes so hard they could've fallen out, their disdain for their clueless father off the charts.

It was somewhat understandable for mom not to figure it out since, well, her wits aren't her strongest suit.

She still doesn't grasp Dad's real identity, so mistaking him for someone else is par for the course.

But Dad not realizing? That just paints him as a fool!

"Is he so love-struck that all he can think about is wooing mom?" Evan couldn't help but mock.novelbin

The other three were speechless, "...."

Dad was indeed a hopeless romantic, his IQ plummeting in the name of love.

Apart from speechlessness, the kids could only conclude: without us brothers, this family would be a mess.

Evan, unable to hold back, asked, "Didn't deadbeat Dad ever look at the marriage certificate? Mom's name and photo must be on it."

Elysia had indeed never seen the marriage certificate; she only knew her husband was Tarquin, a fact well-known to the kids.

But what baffled them was how Tarquin could've missed it too.

Elijah said in a deep voice, "Dad couldn't care less about his so-called wife. I bet he only knows her name is Daphne and nothing more. He's probably forgotten he's even married."

Emmett asked, "Should we tell him?"

Elliot paused before saying, "Here's what I think: the Bradfords are using Daphne to stir trouble, a losing battle! Why not turn their scheme against them, let them fight amongst themselves, and we win on both fronts..."

After Elliot laid out the plan, Elijah and Emmett nodded in agreement, "Sounds good!"

Evan felt a twinge of regret, "If we go through with this, we won't get to rough up the Thornes. I really wanted to give them a piece of my mind." Elliot comforted him, "Don't worry, there'll be other chances."

At ten o'clock at night, after Tarquin had tucked Elysia into bed, he hurried out to join the 'meeting'.

But it had already ended!

Evan, Emmett, and Elijah had all gone back to their rooms to sleep.

Hearing the noise, Elliot opened his eyes, and Tarquin asked, "Is the plan all set?"