The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

From day one, it was crystal clear: you've got to establish where you stand in the family pecking order.

Hertha wasn't having any of it, forcefully shrugging off Alaric's arm: "Back off! You've got some nerve, thinking you can just pin me down?"

Alaric, who was deep in slumber, was jolted awake by Hertha's forceful shove. Groggy and disoriented, he barely opened his eyes to see Hertha glaring at him, visibly annoyed. Rubbing his eyes, he asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Hertha replied, her brows furrowed in anger. "Why on earth are you sleeping with your entire arm over me?"

Alaric was puzzled and explained, "I've got to hold you."

"And why is that?" Hertha shot back.

"Sleeping next to the person you love means you gotta hold them close, keep warm, and feel blissful," Alaric reasoned as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

just get it. But with Hertha, it was as if

beloved. That sentiment warmed the depths of her heart. Just yesterday, she had denied to her mother that Alaric had feelings for her. Today, she heard him declare his love. It dissolved

presence was genuinely delightful. She felt so happy she almost laughed, but Alaric was still there, and she couldn't let him see her amusement. Otherwise,

herself, feigning seriousness, "You can hold me all you want, but why dump the weight of your

bleary-eyed, scratched the back of his head, "Got it, I lack experience; it won't

he pulled the

yanked the blankets away, and

let's not fuss, let's sleep a bit more," Alaric

think it is? Still sleep?" Hertha

half the night. I'm almost running on empty