The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

Alaric could clearly see the worry in Hertha's eyes, and it instantly lifted his spirits. He wanted to sit up, to take Hertha's hand and speak directly to her, but as he attempted to rise, he suddenly remembered how seriously ill he was. Would Hertha think he was faking his illness if he got up now?

At that moment, Alaric's first thought was of Hertha's feelings. With that in mind, he abandoned the idea of sitting up. Instead, from his position lying in bed, he weakly reached out to Hertha. "Hertha, you came to see me... I thought I might never see you again..."

Seeing him so weak and feeble, Hertha's heart melted. Instinctively, she took Alaric's hand, comforting him, "With Dr. Lydia here, you'll be fine. Don't be afraid."

Alaric's hand was cold as ice, but Hertha's hand was warm. Holding it, the coldness that had settled in Alaric's heart from the recent chaos seemed to melt away. Barely holding her hand, he used the strength to sit up, leaning forward and pulling Hertha into an embrace. In that moment, Alaric couldn't help himself, his voice taking on a child-like whine, "I've missed you so much. Can we be more than just friends? Can we be together?"

At our most vulnerable, even the slightest bit of care can make us yearn to be close to those we cherish the most. Our heart's truest words cannot be hidden.

Hertha was held close, Alaric's cheek against hers, feeling the heat of his face. She couldn't tell if it was fever or his emotions running hot. Her heart skipped a beat, feeling herself ignite with him. For a moment, she wanted to say yes, to be with him.

the words were about to leave her lips, she remembered Alaric and Georgia's child, the unbreakable ties to his past. If she were to be with

got stuck in her throat. She pulled away from Alaric, her voice filled with anger, "So, Alaric, you're playing the sick card to win my sympathy, huh? I almost fell

Alaric ended up lying down again, accidentally nudging a silver needle in his neck deeper. The

intervened, removing the needle that had gone in too deep and pressing down on the spot to

blinking rapidly, "Is it really that

said, "Did you

Hertha lowered her head, "I thought he was faking

this convincingly," Lydia retorted

some treat Doesn't he need more "Hertha's