The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

It was a past he couldn't scrub clean, no matter how hard he tried.

All because, like Ethan, he once didn't believe in love, thinking a good time was all that mattered.

Youthful folly, pure and simple.

Now, wanting a home of his own, those histories became the stains he couldn't wash away.

Hertha cared, and there was no way he could explain it to her.

Fearing he'd only make things worse, he simply avoided the topic.

Hertha looked away, focusing on her meal instead, not dwelling on the matter.

She realized her own issues too. Having decided to overcome her mental barriers and accept everything about Alaric, she shouldn't be so sensitive. She ought to interact with Alaric normally.

and overcoming the emotional distance were

they were leaving, Hertha suddenly suggested,

one who had turned the atmosphere awkward and felt it

had to gradually let go of her reservations and truly accept him,

disbelief, a look of surprise and happiness lighting up his face once he realized

with a cinema," he said, visibly

"Okay," Hertha replied.

large hand enveloping hers.

was warm and dry, comforting against Hertha's. The warmth and the gentle palpitations it sparked felt like a unique kind of e happiness, different from

the defenses

not overthink enjoying a date with and bathed in the rosy hue of

closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder

Alaric was even more moved, tilting his head to touch hers, sharing a

by the time they left,