The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

"Angelina, you've wrecked my chance at happiness!" Alaric's voice trembled with pain, his breath ragged as he bit out the words at Angelina.

Angelina was taken aback. Seeing Alaric like this tore at her heart, yet her stubbornness held: "I did it for your own good, you know. Only by marrying Georgia could you reach the pinnacle of your career." Alaric's jaw clenched, his body rigid with anger and pain: "For my good? Have you ever bothered to ask what I actually want? Your husband might be a big-shot CEO at Falconer Enterprises, but with his nose always to the grindstone, you barely see him all year. Haven't you had enough of feeling lonely? Even if you haven't, I sure have! I don't want to be at the top if it means being alone for life!"

By the end, Alaric was gasping for breath, choking on his words.

All his life, he'd craved his parents' company, but they were always too caught up in their careers. His father was perpetually abroad, and his mother managed the domestic operations until his cousin took over as they got older.

The first thing his mother said upon her return was urging him to outshine his cousin and take over as president of Falconer Enterprises.

Alaric was utterly disappointed. He never cared for fame, fortune, or status. All he wanted was a happy, united family.

His parents couldn't give him a childhood filled with their presence.

And now, they expected him to become just like them!

Alaric couldn't do it.

a simple life, growing old with someone by his side, not

Alaric: "You don't have to go along with my plans. You could continue your relationship with Hertha, but you don't get to

pride, proud of her accomplishments. Alaric's denial of what

"Hertha and I can never get back together not after you sent her away with two million dollars three years ago.

couldn't help

desolation: "She's with another man now... and they have

why he had

why he had let Georgia and Angelina come over, and why, despite seeing Angelina provoke

let go. Once decided, he shouldn't leave any room for misunderstanding about a possible

Angelina was shocked, disbelief written all

a quick, puzzled look, both hiding their

a headache brewing:

say more, Alaric cut her off with

command