The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen)

"Don't worry, I've got this," Thalassa said, straining to help her pull up the zipper, which was proving to be quite the challenge.

"Have you been indulging a bit too much lately?" Thalassa asked as she gave it her all.

The zipper got stuck halfway up her back, refusing to budge any further.

Clearly, Hertha had put on a bit of weight.

"Ah, well, I might have let myself go a bit after marrying Alaric," Hertha admitted sheepishly.

"It's alright, it still fits," Thalassa reassured her, gripping the fabric on either side of the zipper and with a final yank, the zipper slid into place. "There we go."

"Phew, finally done. Glad it still fits," Hertha sighed in relief, her anxiety melting away.

"Mom, Hertha, what's taking you guys so long?" a youthful voice called from outside the door.

the door open. The moment the door swung open, she saw her four children standing

five feet, while the

her

Dorian, Elowen, Sophia, you made it!" Thalassa exclaimed with tears brimming in her eyes, calling out

little ones had grown so much, almost looking like young adults

hug brief but filled with all the strength of

the longer she went without seeing them, the more Thalassa

should be happy, no tears," Elowen consoled her as

be the crybaby of the family, but now, she had grown up, not just holding back her own tears but

often," Sophia added,

their mother's love for them, just as they loved her in

those feelings, focusing on their studies and

she looked at her children growing up, becoming more understanding, feeling both proud and heartache. She nodded through her tears, "Okay, mom

kids are right, it's a day of joy, no need for tears. Let's finish getting ready, it's almost time," Hertha emerged from