Chapter 229


    The rain in Jindale City had finally let up, leaving a vibrant rainbow painting the sky.


    People on the streets couldn’t resist the urge to capture the moment, with their smartphones out,


    eximing, “Look, look, a rainbow! So pretty.”


    Lowell couldn’t help but remark, “Ever since Ms. Thorne took Elijah under her wing, it’s like even the


    heavens stopped crying and threw a rainbow into the mix to celebrate. Seems like there’s some real


    chemistry between Ms. Thorne and Elijah. Even the universe is taking notes.”


    Tarquin nced up at the rainbow but didn’t join in the conversation. He wasn’t sure about Elysia and


    Elijah’s chemistry; he was just happy that the gloomy days were behind them, reced by clear skies.


    He also snapped a photo with his phone, nning to show it to Elijahter.


    When they reached Blossom’s apartmentplex, Lowell parked the car and called Elysia.


    Soon enough, she appeared.


    She was wearing a cream–colored down jacket and snow boots, her face bare of makeup, her hair


    unstyled and blowing in the wind, covering her eyes. She brushed her hair behind her ear, revealing


    ears reddened by the cold. Not just her ears, her nose was red too.


    Maybe it was Tarquin’s imagination, or perhaps it was the contrast, but he thought she looked paler


    than before.


    Lowell got out of the car, and Elysia waved at him, indicating where she was.


    Tarquin stayed inside, lighting a cigarette. He couldn’t hear their conversation, but they seemed to be


    having a good time.


    She smiled at Lowell, her white teeth and dimples showing. It was, a sweet sight, like that of a gentle


    woman.


    She could smile at Lowell, Benjamin, Zane, and Callum.


    But never at him!


    Hmph!


    Tarquin didn’t know where this irritation came from, but he took a deep drag of his cigarette.


    Soon, Lowell returned to the car, cheerfully announcing, “Ms. Thorne has prepared a feast today.


    Elijah’s in for a treat.”


    Tarquin kept a straight face, not responding.


    As Lowell got in and closed the door, he turned and said, “Guess what Ms. Thorne told me?”


    “Not interested.”


    “Aren’t you a bit curious?”


    “What could she possibly say? It’s not like something good wille out of her mouth about me. It’s all


    just trash talk.”


    Lowell paused and then said, “You’re wrong. She didn’t mention you at all.”


    10:55


    Embarrassment opened the door, and humiliation walked right in. That was even worse than trash talk!


    “Why didn’t she mention me?”


    “No idea. Not a word about you.”


    Asking more just made things more awkward.


    Sensing Tarquin’s mood, Lowell quickly changed the subject, “Ms. Thorne said she hadn’t been


    cooking for Elijah because she was sick. She asked us to tell Elijah that she’s more than happy to cook


    for him as long as he wants.”


    Tarquin looked away, peering out the window, noticing Elysia was no longer in sight.


    As Lowell started the car and buckled up, he added, “Ms. Thorne is genuinely nice. I thought she


    stopped cooking for Elijah because she was scared after the Allegra incident. Turns out, she was ill.


    She looks much more worn outtely, very pale.”


    Tarquin thought, “No wonder she looked paler than before. It must be the paleness of illness, drained of


    vitality.”


    “Send her some health supplements from home, and have Heath prepare some soup to send over as


    well.” Lowell was pleased to hear that. “That’s the spirit! Why can’t you always be nice to her? If you’re


    nicer, maybe she’ll warm up to you, right?”


    “Who said I was being nice to her?”


    “Then why send health supplements and soup? What’s that about?”


    Tarquin frowned. “I don’t want to owe her anything!”