The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1278

Sitting on a weathered wooden bench by the lake, Thalassa leaned into Lysander's side, her gaze meeting that of her mother, Evelyn, who sat opposite. Lysander's presence was so commanding that even as Evelyn tried to focus on Thalassa, her peripheral vision kept betraying her, drawn to the man beside her daughter.

A shiver of discomfort ran through Evelyn as her eyes unintentionally brushed past Lysander. Quickly, she averted her gaze to the calm waters of the lake, trying to find solace in the scenery. Weeping willows draped their tendrils across moored boats, their wispy branches comically resembling toupees on balding dolls. It was a sight both enchanting and amusingly quaint.

Evelyn's attention was caught by a modest fishing boat bobbing not far off, its silhouette against the shimmering river. Suddenly, with the grace of a dancer, a fish leaped from the lake, arcing perfectly through the air before landing on the very boat Evelyn had been observing.

The fisherman, who'd been dozing in wait for the right moment to haul in his nets, was jolted awake by the slap of the fish against his cheek. Bursting into laughter, he exclaimed, “Well, ain't that the luck! A catch while napping, that's some fine fortune!” With glee, he scooped up the fish and secured it in his bucket.

Evelyn, who had been so engrossed in the scene, couldn't help but let out a laugh. It had been ages since she had witnessed such a vivid slice of life, and the moment swept the clouds from her mood like sunlight through a clearing mist.

Thalassa watched her mother laugh—a true, heartfelt laugh—and she felt a warm sense of relief. She had brought Evelyn on this little getaway to lift her spirits, fearing that too much time spent cooped up in Starhaven might lead her down a dark path again. After a past suicide attempt, Thalassa couldn't bear the thought of a second.

As Thalassa smiled, a strong arm wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her gently into a broad and sturdy chest. The subtle scent of sandalwood from the man's body enveloped her, a fragrance so familiar it caught her off-guard. Her heart skipped a beat, and she found herself holding her breath, overwhelmed by the intimacy of the moment.

Countless nights had been spent in the embrace of such a chest, surrounded by this comforting scent. Now, that same scent filled her lungs in the open air, triggering memories of their shared slumber.

Without pushing him away—after all, it was just a simple hug and nothing more—Thalassa accepted silently. Her heart fluttered as she inadvertently locked eyes with Callum, who sat across from them. His gaze was clouded with a melancholic shadow. His previously warm eyes now seemed to carry a chill that mirrored the cool breeze brushing against their skin.

Just as she was about to speak, Callum looked away, mimicking Evelyn's retreat to the lake's calming scenery. The air somehow felt cold to Callum, a reflection of his internal frost. A once ardent heart felt as if it had been covered in ice, the discomfort instant and unsettling.

He must be feeling what Leopold had felt, Callum thought, seeing Thalassa with Lysander so closely. No, perhaps even worse—a torment so profound it felt like a living death, for Leopold's love for Thalassa had been bone-deep.

Callum's gaze may have been on the landscape, but his heart was like the chilly water beneath the boats—cold and undisturbed, unable to be warmed despite the motion around it. A heavy weight pressed upon his heart, which brought an unbearable discomfort.

Thalassa had only glanced at Callum for a moment before he averted his gaze. She lowered her lashes, veiling the heaviness in her eyes.