Elysia steadied her heart and continued, "ire mentioned that Emmett''s dad still has no clue about Emmett''s situation. She wants us to take Emmett and leave as soon as possible the sooner, the better."


    Tarquin asked, "What do you think?"


    "I believe sneaking Emmett away isn''t a solution."


    What about next time? If Emmett''s dad suddenly finds out about Emmett, he''ll surelye knocking.


    And if we don''t clear up the issue of ire and her daughter being harmed, she won''t be at peace leaving.


    If ire didn''t care about Emmett, she could easily wash her hands off the matter.


    But ire loves Emmett!


    For Emmett''s sake, she can''t just stand by-after all, she''s Emmett''s biological mother!


    "Emmett''s dad is already aware of the situation."


    "Huh?" Elysia was taken aback.


    Tarquin sighed, "I''ve done some digging."


    Elysia, trusting Tarquin implicitly, was shocked. "Then why would ire lie?"


    "It must be Cecil''s doing. Whatever their n, it ultimately revolves around money, which is why I reminded you to transfer the funds to the hospital ount."


    "Is Emmett''s father a piece of work?"


    "Yeah."


    "The bruises on Maria and ire... Did he cause them?!"


    "Yeah."


    Elysia''s brows furrowed, her breathing grew rapid, and soon, tears started streaming down her face.


    "Emmett is like my own. If his biological family was happy and weing, and Emmett wished to return, I would let him go."


    "But under these circumstances, I can''t bear to send Emmett back to suffer! I can''t allow it, I... oh..."


    Tarquin, feeling her pain, pulled her into an embrace again.


    "He''s not going back, not if you don''t want him to. We won''t let Emmett return."


    Elysia sobbed, "But Cecil holds Emmett''s custody. If he disagrees, what can we do?"


    "I''ll find a way. Trust me, I won''t let Emmett jump into a fire pit."


    "You love Emmett, and so do I. The moment Emmett called me ''Daddy,'' he became my son, Tarquin''s son!"


    "I''ll take full responsibility for him, fight tooth and nail for his future!"


    "Just stay@


    and be there for


    Emmett Leave everything to me. make sure Emmett stays by you


    , as you wish."


    He didn''t care about blood ties; if Elysia didn''t want it, nobody could force Emmett away from her!


    ...


    ire stood in a corner, witnessing the scene.


    She had returned hoping to ask Elysia for a photo of Emmett, wanting something to remember him by.


    Seeing Tarquin and Elysia together, she didn''t approach hastily.


    From a distance, she couldn''t catch their


    Tersation, but she


    wasforting Fuld tell


    swnoe


    ire''s face showed no jealousy, no envy, just a gentle smile and warm memories.


    Once, she and Cecil were just as loving, just as happy.


    Cecil treated her well, just like Tarquin did Elysia.


    Even though Cecil had changed, even resorting to violence, she didn''t me him.


    Cecil hitting her... had its reasons.


    The problem wasn''t Cecil; the issuey elsewhere...


    ire''s thoughts turned sour, her brow furrowing.


    After a moment, she took a deep breath, deciding not to interrupt.


    asked


    Instead, she adjusted her emotions and called Cecil, "Hey, where are you? I''ve finished what you me to do. I''ming to see you."


    ADUMS


    sw r