The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

How was she supposed to explain to Alaric that it wasn't about losing love?

Her feelings for him hadn't diminished one bit.

It was just that life, with all its harsh realities, demanded they keep their distance.

She said, "The bouquet is nice, but I don't fancy the smell of flowers during dinner. It overshadows the aroma of the meal. I prefer the scent of a hearty stew or a freshly baked pie, something more... down-to- earth."

She managed a tight-lipped smile, maintaining a facade of politeness.

With that, she stepped outside, gently closing the door behind her, leaving Alaric and his flowers out in the cold.

Alaric's hand, outstretched with the bouquet, paused mid-air for a moment. But he quickly recovered, setting the flowers down at the doorstep and following her, saying, "I know love can't fill our bellies. I know I was too much of a dreamer before, not cut out for the daily grind. But I've cut ties with the Falconer family. I'm just a regular guy now, ready to deal with the nitty-gritty of daily life, including groceries and bills."

She glanced back at him with a smile, stepping into the elevator without a word.

Alaric followed her in.

surprisingly comfortable, without a

does Spencer live in this building too?"

about it?"

here I was, thinking you two were an item, seeing how seamlessly you both acted in front of me. Spencer always seems to be coming home with groceries at the same time as you. I used to think you were married. Now that I know you're not, what am I supposed to think?" Alaric asked with a hint of jest in his tone, though it was clear he was probing

right to be accusing her of

pretty fast," she said with a

usually sharp, he had been surprisingly slow on the uptake about her having a child. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access

PLAY YOUR

EPIOPL

baby bottles

his usual perceptiveness to guessing she had a

dark for

floor, Alaric offered, "Heading to work? Let

beep, "I can manage