It was crystal clear what he was up to - Tarquin was scheming to have a romantic day alone with Elysia, shooing the kids off with a clever distraction!


    How could anyone say he was a devoted dad? Even a stand-in dad would do a better job!


    Evan was having none of it, using Tarquin of high robbery, of whisking his beloved mom away right under his nose!


    And he demanded Tarquin to bring his mom back, stat!


    Lowell, ever the strategist, whipped out his phone with a grin, showing off a video,


    "Check this out, guys. I''m taking you to this ce today. It''s wild, it''s thrilling - Evan, you''re gonna love it!"


    Evan''s eyes lit up at the sight of an intense boxing match,


    "Can I join in too?"


    "Absolutely," Lowell encouraged with a wink, "The champ fromst year''s tournament is here today. If you wanna get in on the action, go for it. Don''t worry about Ms. Thorne finding out. Mum''s the word!"


    A tailor-made adventure for Evan - he was bound to be all in!


    Evan nodded vigorously, "Mr. Lowell, you''re the best!"


    Lowell chuckled, then turned to Emmett, "Besides, there''s a food festival and a cutting-edge design exhibit. Totally your scene, Emmett." Then, ncing at Elliot and Elijah,


    "There''s also an auction happening today. Heard it''s got some rare jewels that a lot of girls go crazy for. If you''re interested, might be nice to grab something for Ms. Thorne."


    Before long, Lowell had all four young gentlemen hopping into the car, all buzzing with excitement.


    Lowell couldn''t help feeling a bit smug, convinced he had a natural talent for handling kids.


    Meanwhile, Elysia got wind of Lowell''s day out with the kids and immediately saw through Tarquin''s ploy, expressing her displeasure,


    "ying these games might backfire, Tarquin. If the kids end up disliking you, don''t expect me to stand by you. I''m warning you now - if they don''t approve, our rtionship is off the table. Being in a rtionship is between you and me, but astingmitment needs their blessing. If they''re not on board, we''re through."


    Tarquin nced at her, then suddenly swerved the car into a secludedne, pulling over.


    As Elysia began to question his actions, he leaned in for a kiss that was fierce and full of a punishing passion.


    Caught off guard, Elysia panicked, "Hey, wait...!"


    Even though thene was quiet, they weren''t invisible to the outside world!


    Feeling as if they were kissing in full public view, Elysia''s heart raced. Just as she thought to bite him in protest, he released her, his voiceced with annoyance,


    "So, are we breaking up or what?"


    Pinned under him, Elysia''s breaths came fast, her cheeks flushed,


    "I didn''t really mean it. It was just a figure of speech."


    "I don''t care. I don''t want to hear it," he retorted.


    Elysia muttered, "Well, you better start making a good impression in front of the kids, then!"


    Tarquin thought to himself: Win the queen, and the game is yours. If Elysia is happy, those kids won''t dare toin.


    Sure, winning over the kids was essential, but Elysia was his main focus now. He had to prioritize.


    With that strategy in mind, Tarquin imed,


    "I asked Lowell to take them somewhere they''d enjoy more. Today''s our second day as a couple, and I wanted it to be just us."


    He didn''t even want to think about Keith or Elysia''s ex- all he wanted was to be close to Elysia.


    Being new to the whole romance game was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.


    Elysia upied his thoughts every moment, longing for cuddles and kisses, yearning for their time alone together.