The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1335

Astrid’s eyes, stained with the tracks of tears, lifted to meet Thalassa's gaze. "You must be hurting more than me," Astrid whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Don't hold it back. Cry if you need to—it might ease the pain a little."

Hearing Astrid's words, the dam of Thalassa's self-restraint burst, and tears began to flood. She wrapped her arms around Astrid, sobbing uncontrollably like a helpless child.

Astrid held her close, sharing in her sorrow.

After some time, it was Astrid who first found the strength to stem her tears. She gently patted Thalassa's back and said with heartfelt sincerity, "Thalassa, have you thought about what you'll do in the future?"

Thalassa wiped away her tears with a trembling hand, her voice hoarse from the weight of her grief. "I've decided to stay here with the kids," she told Astrid, her face still wet from crying. "We'll make a life in the countryside with you, working the land."

Not long ago, she and Evelyn had pulled the children out of daycare. Lysander hadn't come to see them for several days.

When she was discharged from the hospital and went back to the country to take care of Evelyn's funeral, she fetched the kids from the Royal Estates without a peep from Lysander.

She wondered if Lysander had given up on them, on her taking the kids away.

So she resolved to keep the children in the countryside and to live a simple life there. It would be tough, but she was determined to make ends meet, to provide an education for her kids and to see them off to college someday.

Being with her children was all that mattered now.

With a kind smile, Astrid patted her hand and nodded. "Good. If you don't know how to farm, I'll teach you."

Astrid had secretly hoped Thalassa would stay in the countryside with her. The city, no matter its allure, wasn't home. After years of toil as a laborer, only the family homestead offered a true sense of belonging.

Besides, the children's father was a man of considerable influence.