Elysia scooped another spoonful of the creamy yogurt and brought it to Tarquin''s lips, which he epted and ate. It was a small act, but it greatly encouraged her. With determination, she continued, spoon after spoon, until the whole cup of yogurt had vanished into Tarquin''s stomach.


    It reminded her of taking care of Elliot, Evan, and Emmett, as she gently wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin.


    "All done. Now, lie back and get some rest," she said, standing up to leave. However, Tarquin suddenly grabbed her wrist. His movement was swift, yet gentle, showing no intention to hurt.


    Elysia wasn''t afraid; after all, this wasn''t the first time he had grabbed her. She was merely curious.


    "What''s wrong?" she asked.


    Tarquin furrowed his brows, struggling for a moment before managing to say, "Don''t go."


    Don''t go? Elysia''s eyes widened in surprise. She couldn''t stay with him indefinitely.


    She needed her sleep!


    Besides, there were boundaries between men and women!


    Elysia declined, "You... you need to get some sleep. I''ll just be in the bathroom."


    With that excuse, she made her escape, her heartbeat elerating slightly.


    The guy was quite handsome, and hearing him plead with her to stay was hard to resist!


    Luckily, she wasn''t Blossom Blythe, with her strong willpower!


    After washing the yogurt cup in the kitchen and making a quick bathroom trip, Elysia returned to her study to sleep.


    Tarquiny awake, unable to see Elysia return before the effects of alcohol lulled him into a drowsy state, caught between dreams and memories...


    In the midst of winter, surrounded by a nket of snow.


    Elizabeth, dressed in a white puffer jacket, squatted before him, affectionately pinching his cheek with a bright smile,


    "Tarquin, be a good boy at preschool. Eat well, y nicely with your friends, and listen to your teacher, okay?"


    Little him, dressed in a miniature suit, stood before Elizabeth, his expression and demeanor a spitting image of the current Elijah.


    Unwilling to part, he wore an unhappy face,


    "I don''t want to go to preschool!"


    "Oh? Why? Aren''t you happy there?" she asked.


    "It''s childish!" he replied with a scowl, his tone haughty.


    Elizabethughed, "You''re at the age where preschool is a must. You can''t just skip education."


    He frowned deeper, insisting,


    "You have to be the first to pick me up after school, not second."


    "Alright, alright, I promise to be the first one there. Mommy always keeps her promises! Pinky promise!"


    Elizabeth extended her pinky finger. He found the gesture childish but stillplied, locking pinkies with her.


    Only then did he reluctantly say goodbye to Elizabeth and followed the teacher to the ssroom.


    As he turned the corner, he heard Elizabeth call out from behind,


    "Tarquin, mommy and daddy will always love you! Mwah!"


    He turned back to see Elizabeth blowing him a kiss.


    With the preschool entrance bustling with other teachers and parents, he felt exposed by the public deration of love, his cheeks turning a bright red!


    In his heart, he repeated ''I love you too'' over and again, but was too shy to say it aloud.


    Elizabeth, amused by his bashful reaction,ughed even more joyously.


    She waved at him and then turned to walk towards the street.


    Watching her disappearing figure, his eyes filled with adoration and favoritism.


    To him, Elizabeth was like a Snow White, her long hair flowing as she moved through the crowd towards her Prince Charming!


    Sensing his gaze, Elizabeth turned back, yfully squinting her eyes and blowing another kiss.


    Suddenly, "Bang-"