Chapter 247
Tarquin’s actions softened significantly despite his tone.
Lowell, standing off to the side, couldn’t help but internally groan at his own awkwardness. “He might as well have been born mute,” he thought, “at least then he’d be endearing p>
All because of his “drama queen” remark, after bandaging Elysia up, she didn’t even mutter a thank you.
Elysia pouted, ready to continue chopping the stuffing, when suddenly Elijah swiped the knife off the cutting board.
Elysia jumped. “Elijah p>
Without a word, Elijah turned and handed the knife over to Tarquin.
Tarquin frowned, clearly annoyed.
Seeing the situation, Lowell quickly took the kitchen knife from Elijah’s hand. “I’ll do it p>
He then swiftly tied an apron around himself and started chopping the filling for the burgers with a ‘thunk thunk thunk p>
Elijah didn’t say anything, just turned and went back to his room.
Elysia stared after him, a bit stunned. She hadn’t interacted much with Elijah and didn’t really understand him yet, but it turned out he took the knife from her because he was worried about her hurting her hand.
A warmth spread through Elysia’s heart, and she made her way towards Elijah’s bedroom.
Seeing Elysia enter Elijah’s room without getting kicked out, Lowell remarked, “You know, Elijah and Ms. Thorne are really getting along better. It’s clear he’s quite fond of Ms. Thorne, even looking out for her. Tarquin, have you noticed Elijah seems happier lately p>
Tarquin glanced meaningfully at Elijah’s bedroom door but didn’t respond. He shifted his attention back, scrolling through his phone on the living room couch.
Lowell, feeling cheerful, continued chopping the filling happily.
In his room, Elijah was sitting by the window, frowning slightly as he looked outside.
Elysia walked over and pulled up a little chair to sit next to him.
“Elijah, thank you for caring about me p>
Elijah, as stoic as his dad, just frowned a bit more, ignoring her.
Elysia, full of maternal warmth, raised her hand to pat his head, but Elijah dodged, wary.
Elysia’s hand froze mid-air for a few seconds before awkwardly dropping it down, seizing the chance to bond, “Elijah, do you miss your mom?” Elijah looked at her, his expression unreadable.
Elysia continued, “If there’s anything you’re confused about regarding your mom, you can ask me. I probably understand your mom’s thoughts better than your dad p>
Elijah was silent for a long while before finally asking, “Why p>
“Because I’m a mother too. Mothers understand mothers best p>
Elijah frowned, looking at her as if he had a thousand words to say but was too guarded to speak.
Elysia gently said, “You don’t have to be so wary of me. I’m not interested in your dad, and he’s not interested in me, so I won’t take your mom’s place. I care about you because I have three kids of my own. They’re about your age and… they look a lot like you. Seeing you reminds me of my own kids, so I really hope you’re happy, just like how I want my little ones to be happy every day p>
Elijah remained silent.
Elysia added, “I know you’re not much of a talker, but you’re smart. You know who cares about you and who doesn’t. You understand what I’m saying, right p>
Elijah’s expression softened slightly, but he still didn’t speak.
Elysia, struck by a sudden idea, offered, “Elijah, do you want to know what it feels like to have your mother by your side p>
Elijah tensed at the question!
Elysia said, “If you want, you can tell me. I can help you p>
Elijah didn’t say yes, but he didn’t say no either. He frowned and looked at her for a long while before turning his gaze back to the window, as if deep in thought.
Elysia let out a silent sigh, not wanting to disturb him further.
His lack of refusal meant he was considering it. If he agreed, she could engage in role-playing with him to understand him better!
Elijah looked out the window, and Elysia watched him p>
If he wasn’t frowning, he’d look exactly like Elliot or Evan. Having been around him this long, she hadn’t seen him smile.
How could she make him smile?