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.

theory and overcoming the emotional distance were two different

finishing their meal in silence, Alaric paid the bill. As they were leaving, Hertha suddenly suggested, "Let's catch 'Sizzling Secrets', it's

turned the atmosphere awkward and felt

to gradually let

Alaric turned around in disbelief, a look of surprise and happiness lighting up

mall nearby with a cinema,"

"Okay," Hertha replied.

large hand

sparked felt like a unique kind of e happiness, different from the

sweetness temporarily overpowered the defenses

reservations, to not overthink enjoying a date with and bathed in the

as she snuggled closer to him, resting her head

his head to

two hours, and by the time they