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.

something in theory and overcoming the emotional distance

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

the atmosphere awkward

Alaric, she had to gradually let

around in disbelief, a look of surprise and happiness lighting up his face once

with a cinema," he said, visibly

"Okay," Hertha replied.

Alaric came back to her, his large hand enveloping hers.

warmth and the gentle palpitations it sparked felt like a unique kind of e happiness, different from the warmth of

sweetness temporarily overpowered the defenses around

enjoying a date with and bathed in the

her face as she snuggled closer to him,

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

movie lasted for over two hours, and by the time they left,