The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1278

Sitting on a weathered wooden bench by the lake, Thalassa leaned into Lysander's side, her gaze meeting that of her mother, Evelyn, who sat opposite. Lysander's presence was so commanding that even as Evelyn tried to focus on Thalassa, her peripheral vision kept betraying her, drawn to the man beside her daughter.

A shiver of discomfort ran through Evelyn as her eyes unintentionally brushed past Lysander. Quickly, she averted her gaze to the calm waters of the lake, trying to find solace in the scenery. Weeping willows draped their tendrils across moored boats, their wispy branches comically resembling toupees on balding dolls. It was a sight both enchanting and amusingly quaint.

Evelyn's attention was caught by a modest fishing boat bobbing not far off, its silhouette against the shimmering river. Suddenly, with the grace of a dancer, a fish leaped from the lake, arcing perfectly through the air before landing on the very boat Evelyn had been observing.

The fisherman, who'd been dozing in wait for the right moment to haul in his nets, was jolted awake by the slap of the fish against his cheek. Bursting into laughter, he exclaimed, “Well, ain't that the luck! A catch while napping, that's some fine fortune!” With glee, he scooped up the fish and secured it in his bucket.

Evelyn, who had been so engrossed in the scene, couldn't help but let out a laugh. It had been ages since she had witnessed such a vivid slice of life, and the moment swept the clouds from her mood like sunlight through a clearing mist.

Thalassa watched her mother laugh—a true, heartfelt laugh—and she felt a warm sense of relief. She had brought Evelyn on this little getaway to lift her spirits, fearing that too much time spent cooped up in Starhaven might lead her down a dark path again. After a past suicide attempt, Thalassa couldn't bear the thought of a second.