The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

Hearing the name Leopold made Thalassa's steps falter, her body tensing almost imperceptibly.

After a brief pause, she managed to compose herself, turned back to Lysander with a smile, and said, "The movie today was really good, wasn't it?"

As she spoke, she unconsciously tightened her grip on Lysander's hand.

Her attempt to change the subject didn't go unnoticed by Lysander. Her lips, still flushed from their recent passionate kiss, and her eyes, shimmering like the crisp autumn lakes, refused to meet his gaze, darting around instead. Lysander affectionately tousled her hair, saying in a soothing tone, "Don't be so nervous, I was just asking; no hidden meanings."

Indeed, Thalassa was nervous because the name Leopold was a taboo between them.

From past experience, mentioning it always seemed to stir up a storm.

So, when Lysander had brought up Leopold's name, Thalassa's heart had instinctively clenched.

Yet, Lysander's calming words allowed her heart to relax slightly.

opened her mouth, intending to bring up Leopold, but

swallowed back down, crushed by the weight of

penetrating, intense stare remained

that once this conversation had started, Lysander wouldn't allow it

was waiting for

I once watched a movie with Leopold, and we

sooner had she

that Lysander might misunderstand. She insisted that her relationship with Leopold was purely platonic; nothing physical had

laugh. He smiled, gently placing his hand on her head, his thumb softly brushing

believe you," Lysander

His simple statement of trust filled

towards him softened, becoming

meant more to her than