The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

"Wait, what? You had another spat with Dad?" Helena's big, puzzled eyes fixed on Hertha. The word "spat" sounded incredibly ambiguous coming from an adult but utterly adorable from a child. Hertha, caught between laughter and tears by her daughter's question, was about to respond when Helena, in her sweet, mushy voice, added, "Mommy, what does 'spat' mean? Does it mean you pulled his hair and he grabbed your shirt?"

Imagining the scene her daughter described, Hertha couldn't help but burst into laughter. She lovingly scooped Helena into her arms and chuckled, "Of course not, sweetie. Mommy isn't that mean. Why would pull anyone's hair?"

"What did grandma mean, then?" Helena asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.

"Grandma was asking if Mommy had met up with your dad again," Hertha gently explained, making sure Kimberly could hear too.

"Mommy, did you see Dad? Is he okay? Why hasn't he come to see us? He promised to take us to KFC," Julian finally spoke up, his big, curious eyes eagerly looking at Hertha.

Remembering the time Alaric had sneakily taken Julian and Helena for a KFC treat without telling her, causing her and her mother quite a scare, Hertha felt a mix of anger and helplessness.

Despite Alaric's irresponsibility, the children were still looking forward to going out with him again.

She couldn't bear to dash their hopes.

we didn't really have a pleasant chat. Next time we

who had been quietly waiting, sighed

knew Hertha had run into Alaric

the power to turn Hertha's usually bright demeanor into one of distress upon

nor could she

Helena broke into smiles, pulling Hertha into their game of building

Sapphire Skyline.

was in a foul mood today and

Lysander ended

implicitly agreed

him to their

to avoid making