The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

Two little munchkins barreled into Hertha, wrapping their arms around her legs, tilting their heads back, their cherubic faces beaming up at her with smiles.

Hertha was just about to say no, that Alaric hadn't arrived, and was mentally preparing to shoo them away gently. But seeing the innocence in the kids' faces, the pure hope in their young eyes for their daddy, she just couldn't bear to let them down.

She had grown up in a loving home, basking in both her mother's and father's love, in a family where her parents adored each other. Her childhood was steeped in happiness.

On the other hand, Thalassa had lost her father's love early on, and even as she grew, she often felt uneasy, introverted, and lonely. The pain of becoming withdrawn due to the absence of a certain kind of love was all too familiar, and it hurt Hertha to think about it.

That day, she had visited an orphanage and seen so many children abandoned, lacking the love of a father or a mother. They should have been enjoying a sunny, joyful childhood, but instead, the selfishness of adults had turned them into introverted souls. So young, yet they had lost their innate joy, becoming insecure, fragile, afraid of people, and sometimes mute.

If these were Hertha's children, she couldn't imagine how much her heart would ache. She couldn't stand the thought of her children feeling any bit of timidity or insecurity. Her children should always be healthy, radiant, and happy.

through a profound internal struggle. Soon, a warm smile spread across her face, and she said to Julian and Helena, "Yes, your daddy has come to have dinner with us. Are

gently caressing their soft

almond-shaped eyes sparkled with

relent, dared to push the door open and enter Julian, with his keen eyes, spotted Alaric immediately.

"Daddy, you really came!"

"Ah, Daddy's here!"

the room, vibrant and cheerful. Julian was the first to reach Alaric, hugging his legs just as he had done with Hertha. Looking up, his eyes shone like stars in the night

why did you take so long? I was about to forget you," Helena said, pulling on Alaric's trouser leg, her voice filled with a hint of grievance. She

voices nearly melted Alaric's heart. He squatted down, one child in each arm, and lovingly pressed his face against their soft, chubby

too, but

and I didn't want to risk passing anything to you, so I stayed away. Only when I got better did I dare to come," Alaric's voice was low and captivating,