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.

instantly recognized it as her third daughter Elowen's voice. Her nerves sparked to life as she quickly pulled the door open. The moment the door swung open, she saw her four children standing

feet, while the girls weren't far

her four

brimming in her eyes,

little ones had grown so much,

hug brief but filled with all the strength of her love,

longer she went without seeing them, the more Thalassa found herself

happy, no tears," Elowen consoled her as

she had grown up, not just holding back her own tears

often," Sophia

her in return. During their

but over time, they learned to bury those feelings, focusing on their studies and training hard knowing that excelling would earn them the

both proud and heartache. She nodded through her tears, "Okay, mom won't cry. I'll make sure

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