Chapter 187


    Alleen’s eyes flickered with disdain as she Patened to the voice on the other and of the line.


    “I’ve got it” she said curtly as she hung up the phone and turned to N


    “Got the scoop Tarquin isn’t into her He’s just mingling because of Elijah. She’s got nome tricks up her


    sleeve with child psychology and Tarquin’s hoping she can work some magic on Elijah’s condition.”


    “What are you saying? She can cur Elijah? Oh no, this is bad. If she really cures Elijah, Tarquin would


    give her the moon!”


    Alleen remained unfared. “She won’t cure Elijah. She doesn’t even have a license, she’s nothing but a


    chatan Got lucky a couple of times with Corbin Denton, and now Tarquin’s clinging to hope.”


    “A chatan? You mean she’s using Elijah to get close to Tarquin?”


    “Exactly”


    “We need to expose her, now!”


    “There’s no rush. If she can use Elijah, so can we.”


    “Mom, what’s your n


    Alleen’s eyes gleamed with strategy as she said, “Don’t forget, we’re not the only ones who want that


    little brat out of the picture. Some folks in the Bradford family are itching for it too. If we let slip that


    Elysia can save Elijah, what do you think they’d do?”


    N blinked rapidly and said, “They’d get rid of Elysia for sure! They’d never let Elijah survive! Mom,


    are you nning to use them as a pawn?”


    “Smart girl. That’s how you learn. A woman needs to be cunning if she wants to secure her ce in


    high society.”


    Elysia was oblivious to the schemes brewing against her.


    The moment she returned to the apartment, she dived into the study. She sat at herptop, eamestly


    searching for anything rted to Elijah’s case


    Perhaps it was Elijahs stnking resemnce to Elliot and Evan


    an that stirred her resolve, or maybe it was the way he’d called her ‘Mommy‘ in a moment of haze. She


    desperately wanted to help him.


    She hoped for his recovery, for him to live like any other child, full of joy andughter.


    Elysia sat in front of the screen for hours until the lunch hour called her away. Her search had yielded


    little, leaving her disappointed. The best way to ease Elijah’s condition was to integrate into his life, to


    observe, understand, and eventually guide him out of his psychological shadows.


    But with Elijah’s aversion to her, finding a way to break through was a puzzle she had yet to solve.


    The ringtone of her phone broke her concentration. It was Kylton.


    She had almost forgotten about the noon meeting with Tarquin


    in her pr


    preupation with Elijah’s troubles.


    She quickly picked up. “Hello?”


    “Elysia, we’re meeting at Azure Café at twelve, all good on your end?”


    “I’ll be there on time.”


    “Great, just confirming. Tarquin’s all set. Have a good chat”


    “Thanks!”


    After hanging up, Elysia nced at the clock, freshened up in the bathroom, and rushed to the kitchen.


    She prepared lunch but didn’t have a bite. Packing it up, she sped off on her electric scouter


    Arriving at Sunshine Community, she messaged Tarquin.


    I’m at the gate of your ce. Come down, please.]


    Tarquin didn’t reply, and as she was about to call, she spotted him.


    She parked her scooter and hurried over, clutching the lunchbox. But in her haste, she slipped,


    sprawling on the ground as the lunchbox skidded away.


    The fall stung, and as Elysia tried to stand, she slipped again,nding back on the icy pavement.


    Sitting on the ground, hurt and frustrated, her cheeks flushed with anger. She was bundled in a light–


    colored down coat with a teddy bear hat from Blossom and Elijah’s little monster scarf around her neck.


    09:59


    Clumsy yet endearing, she looked to Tarquin like a light–furred bear cub In the snow