Chapter 188


    Tarquin approached, bending down to pick up the lunchbox from the ground without a word, his gaze


    lingering on Elysia.


    Elysia sat on the pavement, tilling her face up at him in surprise when he made no move to help her up.


    “Aren’t you going to give me a hand here?” she eximed


    After all, she had taken a tumble while trying to deliver lunch to his son!


    ? ú ?? ? ? ? ??


    Tarquin frowned, hesitating for a moment before extending his hand


    His palm faced downwards, clearly not inviting her to grasp it, but rather offering his arm as a support.


    What’s with all the caution? She wondered indignantly. Did he think she was some sort of femme


    fatale?


    Elysia’s pride was stung. She ignored the offered anm, instead reaching up to grab his trousers to pull


    herself up.


    Tarquin’s eyes widened in m, but before he could scold her, Elysia’s footing slipped, sending her


    crashing towards him.


    Her eyes wide with panic, and she instinctively reached for his tie. Just as she grasped it, her heels slid


    back, and she toppled over


    Camed by momentum, Tarquin also fell backwards.


    As they both seemed destined to hit the ground, Tarquin’s quick reflexes kicked in. He caught her by


    the waist and pulled her into his embrace.


    Elysia gasped, “That was closel


    Tarquin’s breathing was slightly erratic too.


    Suddenly,ughter echoed nearby. “Tar”


    It was the elderly couple from across the hall.


    Both Tarquin and Elysia were mortified and quickly separated.


    Tarquin swallowed hard before managing to greet them, “Leander, Odette, good to see you.”


    The old couple beamed and asked Elysia. “What’s your name?”


    Elysia’s cheeks were flushed as she replied, “You can call me Elysia”


    “Oh, Elysia, what are you two doing out here in this bitter cold? Go inside before you freeze!”


    “Why would they go inside when they’re having such a romantic moment out here in the snow? Young


    love always seeks a little


    adventure.”


    ’ ’ ’?? ’?? ’ ?’? ’?? ? ’ ’’’’ ’’ ’ ’ ? ’ ? ’ ’’ ’?


    Elysia’s eyes widened in a mix of shock and indignation as she tried to exin, “No, you’ve got it all


    wrong, I was just-


    “Ha! Have your fun, we’re off,” they chuckled, not waiting for her to finish


    As the couple walked toward the building’s entrance, they continued their banter. “I told you Elysia


    wasn’t Tarquin’s housekeeper, right? No housekeeper gets that cozy with the man of the house. Look


    at them, they’re so sweet together.”


    “Why are they so shy about it, though?”


    “It’s obvious! They’re smitten. Probably in the early stages of dating. Hot married yet, just sweethearts!


    Ah, isn’t it lovely? They’re a match


    made in heaven.”


    Elysia and Tarquin exchanged a nce, both at a loss for words.


    “People grow old and their eyesight fades. Don’t overthink it Tarquin finally said-


    Elysia shot back, “I’m not overthinking anything. You’re the one who should stop jumping to


    conclusions!”


    Tarquin’s brow furrowed. Let’s not have a repeat of this.”


    “What do you mean?”


    Tve told you before, I’m not interested in you. Stop ying these little games around me.”


    Elysia blinked, absorbing his words and her frustration peaked


    “ying games? Ive seen narcissists, but never one as self–absorbed as you!”


    “You..


    “You are shameless! Unreasonable!” Elysia cut him off before he could continue, leaving him


    speechless.


    As usual, Tarquin was at a loss for words, only managing to grumble after a long pause, “You’re a


    woman; you should have some self–respect.”


    00:50


    “What’s that supposed to mean? Just because you’re a man, you don’t need self–respect? Jerk!”


    Tarquin fell silent.


    Not for the first time, Elysia was misunderstood by him. She decided not to argue and got straight to


    the point.


    “How’s Elijah? Did he react at all when he woke up this moming?”


    Switching the subject to Elijah, Tarquin calmed down a bit and replied coldly. He didn’t have much of a


    reaction when he woke up. Seemed in good spirits, said he had a dream about his mom. And he ate all


    the food you brought this morning.”


    “That’s good news, I guess. At least he’s not showing any signs of distress. Give him this, it’s got his


    favorite dish.


    With that, Elysia hopped on her scooter and sped off. She still had to hurry to the Azure Café to meet


    his husband Tarquin’s appointment