Chapter 529
Walking side by side toward the VIP entrance, Elysia suddenly realized Tarquin was still holding her hand.
No wonder it felt so warm.
She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip unexpectedly.
Her heartbeat picked up, confusion and a hint of excitement mingling. “Hey, you… you’re still holding my hand p>
Tarquin didn’t even glance her way. “I know p>
“You know? And you keep holding on? People don’t just hold hands, they might get the wrong idea p>
His lips twitched slightly as he responded, “Only someone with a guilty conscience would worry about that p>
“I don’t have anything to be guilty about p>
“Then stop complaining p>
Elysia pouted, “I’m just not used to this. I can walk on my own; you can let go now p>
Without looking at her, he simply said, “You’re walking too slow. You can’t keep up p>
“Slow? How am I walking slow p>
“Short legs p>
Short legs?
Elysia wanted to argue, her teeth clenched in frustration. But glancing down at her own legs and then at his long strides, she shut her mouth and continued walking, albeit with an air of defiance.
From a distance, Lowell watched the two, a goofy grin spreading across his face. Tarquin was clearly torn between his feelings for Elysia and his reluctance to let those feelings grow, all because of his past. Yet, right now, it seemed he was struggling to keep those emotions in check.
“From today on, he’s going to be all over Elysia and not let go,” Lowell thought, chuckling to himself. “That’s my future sister-in-law p>
At Benjamin’s clinic, Elysia decided to follow Tarquin’s advice closely. After getting her wound dressed, she cooperated fully with Benjamin for a comprehensive check-up.
Before the results could even come back, her four boys rushed in. Elliot and Evan, having disguised themselves, now shared Emmett’s appearance. Seeing Tarquin, all four boys frowned, clearly holding a grudge.
Tarquin, puzzled, greeted them warmly, “Don’t worry, she’s fine. The wound has been taken care of, and it’s not serious. She’s just getting a full check-up now p>
“Not serious?” one of them retorted.
“My mom’s forehead is cut open! And there’s a scratch on her neck p>
“She was bleeding p>
“Open wound, bleeding, and you call that not serious? What does serious look like to you p>
Each boy added their piece, none too pleased with Tarquin.
He narrowed his eyes, silently questioning whether he had caused Elysia’s injuries. He was sure he hadn’t. So why were the kids blaming him? Instead of confronting this, Tarquin asked, “Why didn’t you protect her at home? Afraid to reveal your abilities p>
“No way p>
“Then why p>
The kids adored Elysia, and it hurt them to see her injured on their watch. Tarquin was curious, yet the boys wouldn’t admit they were trying to keep their appearance a secret from their mom to avoid frightening her.
Elliot fibbed, “We were all wearing headphones and didn’t hear anything from outside until it was too late. But what about you? You had the evidence all along. Why did you only show up now? If you’d come earlier, mom wouldn’t have been hurt p>
The other three chimed in, “Exactly p>
Tarquin realized then why they were upset with him. They were blaming him for not acting sooner.