The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1590

Alaric caught the lettuce she tossed his way and dunked it into the hotpot, all the while wearing a grin. "I didn't say anything; you're the one overthinking things."

"See, you always shift the blame for your own actions and words onto others. Lucky for me, I cut my losses early," Hertha retorted, rolling her eyes at Alaric.

Words spoken without intent, heard with all the more.

Hertha's comment made Alaric pause, his heart tightening a bit as his narrow, hawk-like eyes locked onto hers.

A shadow of sorrow and deep introspection lingered in his gaze.

Was it his fault Hertha wasn't with him?

Did her words imply her attraction started with his looks but ended with his personality?

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm just stating facts! Go ask any of the women you've dated; they'd all think the same," Hertha said between bites, not sparing any feelings.

But Alaric, thick-skinned as ever, wasn't one to take offense.

For Hertha, teasing him was the best pastime.

Alaric just smirked without a word, continuing to add more ingredients to the hotpot.

Realizing why Hertha had pulled away gave him something to work on. As long as he knew the reason, he could try to adjust in a way she'd appreciate. It was a step up from being in the dark.

Alaric thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Reginald was speeding towards Starhaven Hospital, with Rosalind and Thalassa in the backseat. Rosalind sat a fair distance from Thalassa, irritated by the contrasting ways Lysander treated them.