The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

The moment Hertha's eyes met his long, handsome lashes, her heart skipped a beat.

Damn, Alaric knew exactly how irresistible his looks were to her, and he shamelessly used his stunning appearance to lure her in. And she, predictably, fell for it every single time.

It seemed her life was destined to be firmly in his grasp.

"Do you really want to marry me, or is this all some game to you?" Hertha, irritation in her voice, poked Alaric's chest with her index finger, demanding honesty.

She was never one to let conflicts linger; if something bothered her, she'd have it out within two hours, tops!

But when she poked him, Alaric caught her hand and placed it over his heart, gazing into her eyes with a mischievous glint. His voice, deep and captivating, teased, "Can you feel it? This heart beats for you."

The steady, strong beats of his heart pulsed against Hertha's palm. Thump, thump, thump - each beat seemed to echo her own heart's rhythm, a symphony of attraction. Overwhelmed, Hertha's breath caught in her throat, and she tried to withdraw her hand, only for Alaric to insist on keeping it there, making her feel his heartbeat.

its sincerity, I'd let your doctor friend open it up with a scalpel to prove it's true," he declared, half-joking yet intensely serious. His words, meant to reassure, instead startled Hertha, prompting her to yank her

Alaric countered, a hint of annoyance in

rare glimpse of

so 'eager' that

morning and

marriage license," Hertha

on Alaric; his oversight had

I was just exhausted. My brain was offline. Let's not fight over a silly mistake, okay?" he coaxed, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Hertha couldn't help but laugh. "Temporary

more sulking. Let's get ready and head out,"

on her lips and her mood significantly lifted, Hertha headed to

an hour later, they were on their way to the city hall when Hertha suddenly gasped, "Oh no, I forgot