Chapter 815
Elysia, tears streaming down her face, made her way to the kids’ room. Her four boys had just finished their morning rituals, eager to head downstairs for pancakes and bacon.
Seeing their mom in such distress stopped them in their tracks. “What’s wrong, Mom?” they chorused, gathering around her.
Elliot guided her to sit down while Elijah quickly grabbed a tissue, passing it to Emmett, who gently wiped their mom’s tears away.
Evan, the youngest but with a spirit as fierce as any, his breathing erratic with worry, blurted out, “Mom, don’t cry. Just tell me, who’s upset you p>
Elysia, struggling to speak through her sobs, didn’t want to alarm the boys. Yet, she couldn’t contain her emotions. This was monumental news. She had another daughter, and she was nowhere to be found!
“Call… call your dad. Get him to come home now!” she managed to say.
Elliot was on it: “Right, calling Dad p>
Elijah insisted, “I’ll call him, right now p>
Evan, ever the protector, asked, “Did Dad upset you p>
Emmett, the sensitive soul, seeing his mom in tears, started crying too.
Under normal circumstances, Elysia would reassure Emmett, but today her emotions overwhelmed her. She could only hug him, both of them crying together, her mind consumed with thoughts of her missing daughter.
Elijah, with a furrowed brow, stepped aside to call Tarquin. “Dad, you need to come home. Mom’s crying p>
Tarquin, in the midst of a critical meeting with the Bradford family investors, felt his heart tighten. “What happened?” he asked, urgency in his voice. “Mom didn’t say. She just told us to call you p>
Without a word more, Tarquin rose, his steps quick and determined out of the boardroom. “I have to go home,” he announced to his colleague Lowell, who followed him out. “Tell the Bradfords if they’re not willing to sell their shares, they can prepare for jail p>
Tarquin rushed to the elevator, his family’s world seemingly on the brink of collapse.
Back home, the revelation shook the boys.
Elijah, trying to comfort his mom, assured, “Mom, don’t cry. Dad’s on his way p>
Evan, fists clenched, demanded, “Mom, just tell me, did Dad upset you? Or was it the Bradfords or the Thornes p>
Elysia shook her head, finally managing to say, “You… you all have a sister p>
Elliot and Elijah were stunned, Evan and Emmett confused.
Elysia continued, “I just found out. You have a younger sister, your biological sister p>
Evan, usually quick to react, was speechless before exclaiming, “Our real sister? Mom, did you p>
“Yes,” she confirmed, a mix of sadness and awe in her voice.
Evan, his mind racing with excitement, turned to Elliot, “Did you hear that? We have a sister p>
Emmett, no longer crying, joined in the excitement, “A sister! Like, from the sky p>
The brothers, momentarily forgetting their mom’s tears, echoed in unison, “Mom, where’s our sister p>