The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet

What did it matter if Alaric was unaware of the trick Georgia and Angelina played by hiring a kid to deceive her? Should she confront him for an explanation? Demand he reconcile with her right away and head down to the city hall for a marriage license? Did she even want to get back together with him, let alone marry him?

Hertha hesitated, unsure of her own heart. Did she still want to be with Alaric? She had believed Alaric and Georgia shared a child, and it shattered her heart, giving her a reason to refuse a life together with Alaric. It took a lot of courage to decide just to be friends with Alaric, and he had accepted that outcome. If she knocked on his door today and cleared the air, where would that leave them? She wasn't even sure how she wanted to relate to Alaric, much less confront him with any sort of confidence.

The confrontation could only go two ways. Either Alaric had known all along the child wasn't his, colluding with Georgia to deceive her. That outcome would only shatter her dignity even more. Or, Alaric was also deceived by Georgia. That would invalidate her previous reason for rejecting Alaric and not marrying him. Then, what kind of relationship would she and Alaric return to?

At this moment, Hertha's mind was a mess, not knowing what to do. Blindly confronting Alaric for the truth would only mire her deeper in confusion. Forget it, she thought, better just to go home and sleep!

As Hertha turned to leave, the door to Alaric's house opened. Seeing Hertha about to walk away, Alaric called out in surprise, "Hertha, were you looking for me?" He was starving, about to head out for some food. He hadn't expected to open the door to the very person he hoped to see, and his mood instantly lifted.

Hertha stopped in her tracks, turned around, and saw Alaric. The heart she had just set down was clenched once more. Internally conflicted, she snapped, "Don't flatter yourself. Why would I be looking for you?" With that, she turned and walked towards her own home.

Alaric hurried out, following her,

chatting away cheerfully, "Ethan told me not to go to work, to take the day off at home. I've been so bored I'm about to mold over here, and I'm practically starving."

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"That's your problem, not mine!" Hertha said, stepping inside, about to shut the door.

Alaric braced the door she was

trying to close, grinning cheekily through the gap, "Come on, I'm the father of your kids. You can't just let me starve. Did you cook anything? Let me in for a bite."

"My cooking's poison today, afraid it might kill you. Your precious stomach is better off at a fancy restaurant!" Hertha retorted, pushing the door harder.

But she underestimated the strength of a grown man. Even unwell, Alaric was stronger and didn't let the dook close, histone laced with guilt and apology, "I was wrong yesterday, shouldn't have criticized your cooking. I've reflected on it, and I promise, whatever you make today, I'll clean my plate. Deal?"

"No deal! Now leave!" Hertha was in turmoil and didn't want to face Alaric.

As she was about to forcefully shut the door, two little kids came toddling out from inside, "Mommy, mommy, is daddy here?"