Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Elysia's eyes brimmed with tears that fell in large, sorrowful drops. "My baby girl..."

Elliot and Elijah had been aware of their sister's existence for some time, so the revelation itself wasn't shocking. What truly puzzled them was how their mom found out.

With serious expressions and furrowed brows, Elliot and Elijah questioned, "Mom, how did you find out?"

Wiping away her tears, Elysia handed her phone to Elliot and then pulled Emmett into a comforting embrace, shielding him from the screen.

The fact that Emmett wasn't biologically theirs was still a secret from the little guy, though his brothers were in on the truth.

"Stay with Mommy, Emmett."This content is © NôvelDrama.Org.

"Okay, Mommy, don't cry. Emmett's here with you."

Elliot, Evan, and Elijah took the phone and stepped aside. Their faces transformed with emotion as they scrolled through the messages - especially Evan. One moment he was ecstatic about finally having a sister, and the next, he was plunged into a nightmare learning she had been taken. "Those bastards, they took my sister!"

Just as Evan was about to explode, Elliot whispered something in his ear, calming him down albeit reluctantly. "Fine!"

...

By the time Tarquin hurried home from the office, Elysia had already fallen asleep.

Elliot and Elijah pulled Tarquin into the study for a private discussion, leaving Evan and Emmett to keep Elysia company and out of the loop.

The idea was to protect Emmett from the harsh truth about his origins for a few more years, fearing the revelation might make him feel lost and disconnected.

Evan, known for his impulsive nature and deep affection for the idea of having a sister, was kept at a distance from the planning to prevent him from rash actions.

Inside the study, Tarquin was anxious, "I heard Elysia was crying. Why is she asleep now?"

Elliot explained, "Mom was too upset, and I was worried about her. I convinced her to take a sedative to rest for a bit."

He handed Tarquin Elysia's phone.

"We're now certain we have a sister out there!"

Tarquin's expression turned grave as he browsed through the photos and videos on the phone.

Elliot continued, "Elijah and I tracked the number that sent the messages to Mom. As expected, we hit a dead end. But, I believe Keith is behind this. Your recent focus on Keith must have tipped him off, prompting him to take action."

Elijah chimed in, "He's using our sister to blackmail Mom into divorcing Dad. What's his endgame? How does splitting them up benefit him?" Elliot pondered, "The real motive is still unclear, but it's evident he wants to lead Mom to our sister."

Elijah, furrowing his brow in thought, added, "Kidnapping Mom to find our sister aligns with the mysterious figure's goals. Is Keith the mysterious figure?"

Elliot didn't confirm or deny but shared his thoughts, "I've been mulling this over. Many clues suggest Keith is our guy. But one thing doesn't add up. Last night, he left a message: 'Those who harm children shall perish.' It seems he's fond of kids, evident from his affection towards the daycare children. So, why would someone who loves kids harm one for his own agenda?"

Elijah considered the contradiction. "You think he might not be the mysterious figure?"

Elliot shook his head, "Aside from that inconsistency, everything else points to Keith. Dad, what's your take?"

Both brothers turned to Tarquin, who had been silently fixating on the phone's screen, lost in thought.