chapter318

Inside the bedroom, Elysia was on the verge of a total meltdown. Her mind was a whirlwind of terrifying possibilities.

"First, he forbids me from seeing Elijah, and now, out of nowhere, he demands to see my other children," she cried, her voice trembling. "What is he playing at? Does he already know about Elliot and Evan? Is he coming to take them away from me? Does he want to strip me of everything?"

Blossom, seeing her friend’s spiraling state, tried to provide a tether to reality. "Elysia, take a breath. Don't let your fear dictate the narrative yet. Maybe you should just call him directly and demand clarity."

"Yes... yes, you're right. I have to talk to him."

With shaking hands, Elysia dialed Tarquin's number. The first call was disconnected. The second, hung up. By the third attempt, he ignored her entirely.

Elysia’s eyes reddened with a mix of frustration and despair. His silence was more deafening than any threat. Finally, Blossom suggested, "Call Lowell. He was the one who reached out earlier; he might give you the truth."

The moment Lowell picked up, Elysia didn't hold back. "Lowell, why does he want to see my children? What right does he have?"

Lowell sighed, caught between his loyalty to Tarquin and his sympathy for Elysia. "Ms. Thorne, please try to stay calm. Tarquin isn't looking to cause harm. He simply has questions that only they can answer."

"What questions could he possibly have for five-year-olds?"

"It’s not my place to say. But he is insistent on meeting them tonight—and he wants to speak with them alone, without you present."

Alone.

The word felt like a physical blow. "Absolutely not!" Elysia gasped.

"Ms. Thorne," Lowell said, his tone turning grave, "we will be at your condo in ten minutes. You can bring the children down to the car, or we will come up to collect them. I’m telling you this as a friend: crossing Tarquin right now will only make things more difficult for you."

The call ended with a sharp beep, leaving Elysia staring at her reflection in the darkened phone screen, tears streaming down her face. She knew Lowell was right—she was no match for the resources and will of Tarquin Bradford. If he wanted this meeting, it was going to happen.

But what would happen when he saw their faces? When he realized how much Elliot and Evan looked like him? She couldn't even bring herself to imagine the fallout.

"Mommy?"

Elliot’s voice came from the doorway. He was flanked by the other two boys. Seeing Elysia in tears, all three brothers felt a surge of protective instinct. Elijah, standing in for Evan, clenched his fists. His heart ached for the mother who had shown him so much kindness, and his fury toward his father reached a boiling point. Stupid Dad, he thought, you have no idea what you’ve started.

Elysia tried to wipe her eyes, but looking at Elliot and the boy she thought was Evan—both mirrors of Tarquin’s features—only made her sob harder. In her emotional state, she didn't even notice the switch between Elijah and Evan.

"Mommy, please don't cry," Elliot said, stepping forward. "Is this because Daddy Tarquin wants to see us?"

Elysia looked at him through a veil of tears. "How did you know...?"

"I heard the phone call," Elliot said calmly, reaching up to gently wipe a tear from her cheek. "Don't worry, Mommy. I have a plan. He won't find out anything we don't want him to know."

Elysia looked at her eldest son, stunned by the confidence in his small voice. "Elliot... what could you possibly do?"