The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

Elowen's eyes were rimmed with red, tears swirling but not yet falling.

At Elowen's questioning, Sophia and Dorian also drew closer, looking at Lysander seated in his wheelchair.

Neither of them spoke; they just quietly observed Lysander. As they did, their eyes misted over with a thin veil of tears.

To them, their dad had always been a towering figure, authoritative and commanding, someone they looked up to with respect.

The dad they remembered was like a majestic mountain, towering and imposing, an object of their admiration and reverence.

But the Lysander before them now, seated in a wheelchair, seemed so much smaller, almost at their height, no longer the unreachable, awe-inspiring figure he once was.

They thought back to when Zephyr had sent them to military school, their dad's fate hanging in the balance, fighting for his life in a hospital. And now, three years later, they were reunited with him in a wheelchair.

children's hearts ached, tears involuntarily welling

some time. He wasn't as shocked as

first time had been a shock

all too well

eyes, understanding their pain. This sympathy, however, didn't comfort him; it felt more like

to life in

a semblance of peace

the frustration of knowing he'd never

stares from strangers, but the looks from his family, every glance, every moment,

stares and Lysander's growing coldness, quickly stepped forward. Taking Elowen and Sophia by the hands, she spoke with a gentle smile, "Your dad is doing great, don't worry. Although he can't walk for now, he's still your dad, and it doesn't affect his everyday

he..." Elowen's voice trailed off,

He's the bravest man I know," Thalassa said, eager to shift the children's perspective from one of