The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1788

This time, Hertha didn't pull away. Instead, she turned around, her gaze a stormy mix of anger and sorrow, and asked, "What now?"

In her eyes, Alaric saw exhaustion.

Was it his fault she felt this way?

All he wanted was to be with her.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Alaric managed to say, "I was hoping... we could be together..."

"Let's wait for the results of that paternity test," Hertha shot back, slipping her hand from his and turning to walk away.

Her words were the final blow that knocked Alaric down.

He was left speechless, unable to continue the conversation, much less brave enough to share the results with Hertha.

Their relationship already felt like it was separated by mountains and rivers, and those results were like a stone door, blocking any passage between him and Hertha.

How could he dare to tell her the truth?

Watching Hertha's retreating figure, Alaric felt a deep sense of helplessness.

Hertha and her mother took the kids home, lecturing Julian and Helena along the way about the dangers of wandering off with strangers, stressing how worried they'd be if anything happened. "You might never see Mommy and Grandma again if a bad person finds you," they explained.

"But Daddy isn't a bad person," Helena innocently remarked.

Hertha was at a loss for words.