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.

sparked to life as she quickly pulled the door open. The moment the door swung open, she saw her four children

feet, while the

were her

it!" Thalassa exclaimed with tears brimming in her eyes,

had grown so much, almost looking

next, each hug brief but filled with all the strength of her love, wishing she could pour

since she last saw her children, and the longer she went without seeing

no tears," Elowen consoled her as she was embraced, noticing her mother's eyes glistening. Her tender voice offered

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

we'll come visit you more often," Sophia added, comforting her

mother's love for them, just as they loved her in return. During their three years at military

missing their mother, but over time, they learned to bury those feelings, focusing on their studies and training hard knowing that excelling

at her children growing up, becoming more understanding, feeling both proud and heartache.

joy, no need for tears. Let's finish getting ready, it's