The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

"Angelina, you've wrecked my chance at happiness!" Alaric's voice trembled with pain, his breath ragged as he bit out the words at Angelina.

Angelina was taken aback. Seeing Alaric like this tore at her heart, yet her stubbornness held: "I did it for your own good, you know. Only by marrying Georgia could you reach the pinnacle of your career." Alaric's jaw clenched, his body rigid with anger and pain: "For my good? Have you ever bothered to ask what I actually want? Your husband might be a big-shot CEO at Falconer Enterprises, but with his nose always to the grindstone, you barely see him all year. Haven't you had enough of feeling lonely? Even if you haven't, I sure have! I don't want to be at the top if it means being alone for life!"

By the end, Alaric was gasping for breath, choking on his words.

All his life, he'd craved his parents' company, but they were always too caught up in their careers. His father was perpetually abroad, and his mother managed the domestic operations until his cousin took over as they got older.

The first thing his mother said upon her return was urging him to outshine his cousin and take over as president of Falconer Enterprises.

Alaric was utterly disappointed. He never cared for fame, fortune, or status. All he wanted was a happy, united family.

His parents couldn't give him a childhood filled with their presence.

And now, they expected him to become just like them!

Alaric couldn't do it.

life, growing old with someone by his side, not chasing after power

can you say that? You're dismissing my entire life over one thing?" Angelina, deeply hurt, responded to Alaric: "You don't have to go along with my plans. You could continue your

denial of what she took pride in deeply

let out a bitter laugh: "Hertha and I can never get back together not after

couldn't help

expression was one of sorrow and desolation: "She's with another man now... and they have

was also why he

let Georgia and Angelina come over, and why, despite seeing Angelina provoke

decided, he

was shocked, disbelief written all

Georgia exchanged a quick, puzzled look, both hiding their

headache brewing:

more, Alaric cut her

His command brooked