The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

However, as she drew closer, she distinctly felt that piercing, icy gaze shift away from her, the oppressive force retreating, growing more distant by the second. She bit her tongue, resisting the urge to look back.

It was only after the pressure had completely vanished and she had put a significant distance between them that she finally allowed herself to glance back, just in time to see Lysander pushing a wheelchair int the hospital-a fleeting glimpse before he disappeared inside, out of sight.

The moment Lysander vanished, Thalassa's tightly wound emotions collapsed. She had been fiercely holding back, trying not to let the heartache overwhelm her, but now, the intense pain burst forth from the depths of her heart like a flood, engulfing her whole being. Tears welled up, and a wave of pain washed over her, leaving her legs weak. She stumbled to a nearby bench and sat down, gasping for air, struggling to breathe. By the time she caught her breath, tears were streaming down her face.

She felt the crushing pain and despair of being abandoned by the world. Joshua had said that since Rosalind had been coddled from a young age, her ability to cope was weaker, so he chose to fulfill Rosalind's wishes. And because Thalassa was stronger, able to face whatever setbacks came her way, he asked her to step aside, to make way for Rosalind.

meant to be so cruelly hurt, so easily forsaken? If so, perhaps strength was a mistake. She

the cracks, until the stones before her were soaked. A heavy weight seemed to press on her heart, a deep, throbbing pain that made even breathing feel laborious. Her hand clenched on the stone as she mentally urged herself

avoid being hurt. Only by awakening can

woman's strength is found in healing from hurt after hurt, in becoming clear-headed,

it through the preliminary rounds with her Dogwood Blossom

semifinals, Thalassa was ecstatic. She immediately picked up her phone to share the good news with Lysander. But as she held