The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

Alaric still carried that faint scent of mint and tobacco, a fragrance that Hertha found captivating.

Her heart softened at the familiar scent, but then she quickly remembered Alaric's affair with Georgia, and her defenses shot up. Irritation flared, and she shoved Alaric away forcefully, "Alaric, get your filthy hands off me!"

Pushing Alaric caused Hertha to stagger several steps backward, her strength surprising even herself.

Alaric took a step back, his gaze filled with sorrow as he looked at her. He swallowed hard, pain evident in his voice, "Hertha, I've done a paternity test for the kid. It's not even certain he's mine. You know what Georgia is like; cunning and manipulative. Who knows what she's plotting now?"

Hertha, heartbroken, let out a cold laugh, "It doesn't matter if the child is yours or not. The fact that you were involved with her is undeniable!"

At her words, a pained expression crossed Alaric's face, and he hurriedly tried to explain, "I was drunk that night. If I had been sober, nothing would've happened between us... and..."

He paused, then continued, "And, haven't you already forgiven me for that mistake?"

Hertha scoffed, crossing her arms angrily, "Who said I forgave you?"

"How could you agree to marry me if you hadn't forgiven me?" Alaric asked.

"Have the nerve to bring that up? Wasn't it you who constantly used my mom to pressure me into marrying you?" Hertha spat out the words in anger, revealing her true feelings in the heat of the moment. Alaric was visibly hurt, murmuring, "I pressured you?"

it obvious?"

a bitter smile, nodding in admission,

head,

his state, Hertha

been too harsh.

of their relationship, she bit her lip, made a tough decision, and didn't say anything to comfort him. Taking a deep breath, she walked past him, pressed the elevator button-the elevator was already on the ground floor, so the doors opened quickly. Hertha stepped inside, pressed the button for her floor, and then frantically hit the door close button, intentionally putting distance

his back to Hertha, only turning around when he heard the elevator

the elevator display climb, frustration gripping him as he ran a hand through

arrived first, planning

was about to

from inside,

come Hertha and Alaric aren't back yet? I hope nothing's

stopped knocking, realizing

Hertha should have been home before him. Her absence meant she didn't want to come

the courage