Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin)

Ever since Elysia got her hands on those files about the virus, she'd become completely obsessed-eating, sleeping, everything else took a back seat.

To say she worked herself into the ground wouldn't be an exaggeration.

She'd be up late into the night, sometimes staring at her laptop until three in the morning. If Tarquin didn't practically drag her to bed, she'd probably pull all- nighters every night.

Even after less than four hours of sleep, she'd be up at dawn, pouring over the data all day.

That evening, she suddenly announced, "I need to go to the hospital."

She looked so serious that Tarquin asked, “Is it urgent?"

"It's urgent. I have to go now," she replied, grabbing her coat.

Tarquin knew there was no stopping her, so he just got his keys and went with her.

Clayton and the kids all knew she was working on something important-they didn't get in her way, just told her to go and not worry about things at home.

On the drive over, Elysia's brows were furrowed in worry.

Tarquin reached over and squeezed her hand. "Do your best and let the chips fall where they may. Don't put so much pressure on yourself."

If she could help beat this virus, that'd be amazing. If she couldn't, it wasn't her fault.

Elysia nodded, but her frown deepened. "Zane is absolutely ruthless," she muttered, shaking her head.

Just reading through the files made her sick to her stomach.

There were four people in critical condition from the infection.

Patient zero was a man in his thirties, background unknown, and he was already in the danger zone-barely hanging on.

The other three? All medical staff.

One was the attending physician-a man in his forties, breadwinner for his family, with elderly parents and young kids depending on him. Now, he was fighting for his life, and his whole family's world had come crashing down.

The other two were nurses. One was a rookie, fresh out of college, working her first year. She'd grown up in a small town, her parents scraping by as farmers to put her through school. Now this-her family's hopes were shattered.

The second nurse-she was newly pregnant, married six years, finally expecting her first baby after so many struggles. And now, infected. No one knew if she or her baby would make it.

Elysia didn't even know these people, but her heart hurt for them.

This virus didn't just destroy individuals, it wrecked families.

If Zane spread this thing any further, there'd be even more victims, more broken homes.

That's why she called him ruthless.

To create a crisis like this, just for his own gain—he didn't deserve to be called human.

"Evil doesn't go unpunished. He'll get what's coming to him," Elysia said angrily, her hands balled into fists.

Sontent belongs to sw

Tarquin gave her hand another squeeze. "Don't worry. Karma's a real thing."

As they walked into the hospital, Tarquin's phone buzzed. It was Benjamin.

"Tarquin, are you guys here yet?" Benjamin asked.

"We just got here. Why?"

"Zane showed up. He wanted to see Winona's dad. I turned him away think he's getting suspicious of Winona, so he's snooping around the hospital."

Tarquin frowned, about to reply-but then he spotted Zane himself, striding out of

the main entrance.

As soon as Elysia saw him, she trembled with anger.

Tarquin hung up and held her hand, quietly trying to calm her down.

Zane spotted them, too, and blinked in surprise.

Elysia turned to Tarquin, her jaw set. "Wait here. I need a word with him. Alone."

She had too much bottled up-she needed to let it out.

Tarquin wasn't thrilled, but nodded. "Alright."

Elysia squared her shoulders and marched over.

Zane saw her coming, a look of surprise—and, strangely, hope-lighting up his face as he jogged over to meet her.

He was dressed in a pale suit,

looking every bit the charming,.

passing by would think he was a stand-up guy.

respectable gentleman. Velnoveldrama

But Elysia knew better.

This was the first time they'd seen each other since Zane and Winona had their falling out.

He knew Elysia would be furious. And she was.