Chapter 313
Just as the car came to a halt, Evan shoved open the door and bolted out. He’d been here before and navigated his way to the apartment entrance with a familiarity that had his hands shoved in his pockets and his pace brisk. The last thing he wanted was to spend another second in the car with Tarquin.
It was suffocating! Too much to bear! He wanted to give Tarquin a piece of his mind, maybe even more, but restraint was a cruel companion.
Inside the car, Tarquin sat frozen, staring through the window at his son’s retreating figure, feeling a billion wounds slash at his heart. His sorrow was a dam breached, unstoppable. His facade of composure crumbled, tears streaming down his face.
Lowell, stepping out to help him with the door, couldn’t help but feel a wave of pity. “Tarquin, take a moment, will you? Elijah would never treat you this way. This isn’t him. It’s like… remember the Elijah who showed up on Thanksgiving, the one who lost it? That’s who we’re dealing with now, not your son p>
Tarquin’s brows knitted together, a lightbulb moment illuminating his understanding. He’d been so caught up in his grief that he’d overlooked the whole multiple personality situation. He reassured himself, thinking, Elijah loves me too much to despise me, to hurt me with those words!
If the polite and engaging Elijah was the original, then the one who made an appearance first on Thanksgiving, the one with impeccable manners, was personality number one. And now, this defiant, rebellious version claiming to be “the boss,” exuding a ‘too cool for school’ attitude, was personality number two.
According to Benjamin Lawson, these split personalities were distinct entities, each with or without access to Elijah’s memories. They might share his body, but they weren’t Elijah. They were entirely new characters.
With this realization, Tarquin found some solace. The one who hurt him wasn’t his Elijah. But then, his worry returned. Benjamin had also mentioned that these new personalities took over whenever Elijah was extremely agitated or when something triggered a strong desire, leading to a shift.
Tarquin, now with a grim expression, got out of the car. He dialed Benjamin, urging him to come quickly, as he chased after Evan, piecing everything together. Elijah was fine when he left to pick up some groceries. It was during this errand, meeting Elysia halfway, that everything changed. Elijah had donned a mask and changed clothes, appearing shocked and somewhat guilty upon seeing him p>
So, this personality shift occurred in the midst of his errand, during his time with Elysia. What did Elysia say or do to trigger him? Knowing very well about Elijah’s condition, did Elysia intentionally provoke this other personality to drive a wedge between father and son? To make Elijah fall for her completely? Was she trying to steal his son from him?
Tarquin’s thoughts darkened with every step. The more he pondered, the more his suspicion turned towards Elysia. He instructed Lowell to unlock the apartment for Elijah while he, with a scowl, dialed Elysia.
Accusations flew the moment she answered, “Elysia, you’ve crossed a line trying to take my son from me p>
An accusation as unexpected as it was unfounded. And poor Elysia, not the sharpest tool in the shed, confused Elijah with Evan, panicked at the accusation, “How… how did you know p>