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 emotional

meal in silence, Alaric paid the bill. As they were leaving, Hertha suddenly suggested,

atmosphere awkward and felt it was on her to

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

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

mall nearby with a cinema," he said, visibly cheered

"Okay," Hertha replied.

to her, his large hand

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

the defenses

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

crept on her face as she snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder in a

more moved, tilting his

the