The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet

Alaric still carried that faint scent of mint and tobacco, a fragrance that Hertha found captivating.

Her heart softened at the familiar scent, but then she quickly remembered Alaric's affair with Georgia, and her defenses shot up. Irritation flared, and she shoved Alaric away forcefully, "Alaric, get your filthy hands off me!"

Pushing Alaric caused Hertha to stagger several steps backward, her strength surprising even herself.

Alaric took a step back, his gaze filled with sorrow as he looked at her. He swallowed hard, pain evident in his voice, "Hertha, I've done a paternity test for the kid. It's not even certain he's mine. You know what Georgia is like; cunning and manipulative. Who knows what she's plotting now?" Hertha, heartbroken, let out a cold laugh, "It doesn't matter if the child is yours or not. The fact that you were involved with her is undeniable!" At her words, a pained expression crossed Alaric's face, and he hurriedly tried to explain, "I was drunk that night. If I had been sober, nothing would've happened between us... and..."

He paused, then continued, "And, haven't you already forgiven me for that mistake?"

Hertha scoffed, crossing her arms angrily, "Who said I forgave you?"

"How could you agree to marry me if you hadn't forgiven me?" Alaric asked.

"Have the nerve to bring that up? Wasn't it you who constantly used my mom to pressure me into marrying you?" Hertha spat out the words in anger, revealing her true feelings in the heat of the moment.

Alaric was visibly hurt, murmuring, "I pressured you?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Hertha retorted.

Alaric gave a bitter smile, nodding in admission, "Yes, I pressured you....."

He hung his head, a picture of dejection.

Seeing his state, Hertha realized she

might have been too harsh. She wanted to offer some words of comfort, but remembering the current state of their relationship, she bit her lip, made a tough decision, and didn't say anything to comfort him. Taking a deep breath, she walked past him, pressed the elevator button-the elevator was already on the ground floor, so the doors opened quickly. Hertha stepped inside, pressed the button for her floor, and then frantically hit the door close button, intentionally putting distance between herself and Alaric.

Alaric stood with his back to Hertha, only turning around when he heard the elevator begin to ascend.

He watched the numbers on the elevator display climb, frustration gripping him as he ran a hand through his hair.

He had arrived first, planning to visit

Hertha's place. As he was about to knock, he overheard Kimberly's

complaints from inside, saying,

"How come Hertha and Alaric aren't back yet? I hope nothing's gone wrong again!"

Alaric stopped knocking, realizing Hertha hadn't returned yet.

By all accounts, Hertha should have been home before him. Her absence meant she didn't want to come back.

Lacking the courage to face

Kimberly, Alaric decided to waitNôvelDrama.Org holds this content.

downstairs, hoping to ca

and perhaps have a proper

discussion about how to face

Kimberly together. But it seemed Hertha had already closed her heart, unwilling to engage further.

Feeling utterly dejected, Alaric was lost, unsure of what to do next.

Upon returning home, Hertha opened the door to find her parents, Kimberly and Ashton, sitting at the kitchen table with stern expressions, clearly in a bad mood. They both stood up upon seeing her.

Their demeanor suggested a confrontation was imminent. Hertha stepped back, panic-stricken, pleading, "Mom, please, just calm down and let me explain!"

"What's there to explain? Hand it over!" Kimberly demanded sternly, extending her hand towards Hertha.

Confused, Hertha looked at her mother's outstretched hand, "What are you talking about?"

"Your marriage certificate, what else!" Kimberly said firmly.