Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1411

Clayton let out a deep sigh and said with heartfelt emotion,

“I’ve missed out on over twenty years with you. I didn’t just let you down—I let your mom down too. Now, with the years we have left, I just want to spend as much time together as I can.”

Truth was, he’d been thinking about retirement for a while now. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized—his daughter wasn’t exactly cut out for the family business.

And his son-in-law… well, Tarquin was a good guy, sure. But people change. Who’s to say that ten or twenty years down the road, Tarquin would care for their daughter the way he does now?

So, no way was he about to just hand Hawkins Sea-freight over to Tarquin.

They wanted it to stay in the family—meant for their daughter. After all, Hawkins Sea-freight was their blood, sweat, and tears. Tarquin may have married in, but he didn’t build it. The company was supposed to be her safety net, her backbone.

If he was being honest, the most suitable person to inherit it would be Elliot.

Elliot was a business prodigy, even as a kid. Someday, he’d be every bit as capable as Tarquin—maybe more so. Plus, Elliot was loyal to the family. Giving him the company was as good as giving it to their daughter.

But Elliot was still so young. Clay couldn’t bear to dump all that pressure on the little guy just yet.

So he’d keep running things for now, and wait until Elliot was older. There’d be time to figure it all out.

Elysia felt a rush of gratitude. How lucky was she, to have parents who loved her this much?

They were Oceanopolis natives—actually, the wealthiest family in the city. And they’d left everything behind to move to Jindale City, just to be with her.

“Dad, if you ever need to go back to Oceanopolis, just let us know ahead of time. Mom and I can go with you, if we’re free.”

“Of course, sweetheart. Of course.”

After lunch, Elysia got back to folding paper stars—a little family tradition they’d picked up lately, getting ready for the upcoming holiday.

The spare room downstairs was already packed with boxes of them.

Preschool let out at 4:30, and half an hour before, Elysia called Tarquin to double-check.

Once she confirmed that he’d be picking up the kids, she stayed home and didn’t head out.

Right on time, Tarquin sent her a video—he’d picked up the kids and filmed them all waving hello. “Got them safe and sound,” he said. “Don’t worry. Just wait for us at home.”

All five little ones squeezed into the frame to greet her.

“Was it Evan who called in, or his dad?”

“His dad, of course. He said you told him to let Evan stay home and rest.”

Elysia pressed her lips together, forcing herself to stay calm. “Alright, thanks for letting me know.”

When she hung up, she headed straight upstairs, phone in hand.

Clayton and Pamela poked their heads out of the kitchen, noticing her expression. “Everything alright, Elysia?”

“No worries, Dad. Evan’s teacher just forgot to send his homework. I’m going to print it for him in the study.”

“Alright, honey.”

As soon as she turned the corner, her face darkened. She was seething.

That man. Sneaking around, letting their son skip school behind her back?

Oh, he was in for it.