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.

overcoming the

were leaving, Hertha suddenly suggested, "Let's catch 'Sizzling

had turned the atmosphere awkward and felt it was on her to lighten

of Alaric, she had to gradually let go of her reservations and truly

surprise and happiness lighting up his face once

idea, there's a mall nearby with a cinema," he said, visibly cheered

"Okay," Hertha replied.

back to her, his large hand enveloping

a unique kind of e happiness, different from the warmth of family. Love, she realized,

temporarily overpowered the

go of her reservations, to not overthink enjoying a date

closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder in

more moved, tilting his head to touch hers, sharing

hours, and by the time they left, it was around eleven at