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.

at the mall, but we didn't really have a pleasant chat. Next time we bump into him, I'll ask him to take you out for a treat,\" Hertha said softly, not wanting to

who had been quietly waiting, sighed upon hearing

had run into Alaric again and

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

complicated situation, nor could she force her

Julian and Helena broke into smiles, pulling

Sapphire Skyline.

mood today and had called up Ethan

since Lysander ended up

they implicitly agreed

him to

avoid making