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

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

she was the one who had turned the atmosphere awkward and felt it was on her to

couldn't let go of Alaric, she had to gradually let go of her reservations and truly accept

a look of surprise and happiness

nearby with

"Okay," Hertha replied.

his large hand enveloping hers. The

comforting against Hertha's. The warmth and the gentle palpitations it sparked felt like a unique kind of e happiness, different from the warmth of family. Love, she realized, had its own sweet

the defenses

enjoying a date with and

as she snuggled closer to him, resting her head

more moved, tilting his head to touch hers, sharing a moment of

and by the time