The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet

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.

Helena continued, "We knew he was Daddy, that's why we went with him. He said he'd take us to get some yummy food."

Julian chimed in, "It was our first time trying KFC. The fries and chicken wings were so good."

Hearing this, Hertha felt a twinge of guilt. She took Julian into her arms and said softly, "Did you really enjoy KFC?"

"Yes, it was yummy!" Julian nodded enthusiastically.

"I'm sorry never took you there

before; I thought it was junk food et

not good for your health. But

you

like it, we can go more often, okay?" Hertha said, feeling apologetic.

Though KFC was just around the corner from their apartment, she had never taken the kids there, citing the reasons she just mentioned. "Okay," Julian agreed, ever so obedient.

"Mommy, will Daddy come with us next time?" Helena turned to Hertha, her big doe eyes shining with hope.

Hertha paused, uncertain how to answer her daughter's question.

Just yesterday, she had lied to the kids, telling them Alaric was away on a long business trip, and now here he was, secretly taking them out for KFC to win their affection,

She really didn't know what else she could say to keep hiding the truth from them.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.

Telling them the truth felt too cruel.

They were still so young, having just experienced their father's love after two years of absence, only to potentially lose it again.

As Hertha debated what to say,

Kimberly spoke up, "Next time you

want fries and chicken wings,

Grandma will make them for you et

We'll eat at home, it's cleaner. Who knows what kind of additives they put in the food outside."