The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1380

Thalassa's face froze for a second, her breath catching slightly. She knew what Richard was asking.

He wanted to know if she was willing to go through with a paternity test with Joshua to acknowledge him as her father.

The word 'father' was something she had once yearned for, something she had desperately wanted.

As a child, she would see other kids being cherished by their dads, showered with affection, and she, too, had longed for that – for her own father to appear.

She had wanted to feel that paternal love, to have someone looking out for her mom as well.

But as she grew up, the arrival of Bruce shattered all her beautiful illusions about fatherhood.

To her, the term 'father' became synonymous with a nightmare.

Though it was a mistake – Bruce was not her father – it was this mistaken bond of blood that caused Lysander to despise her to his core, finding ways to torment her relentlessly.

It was because of Bruce that her relationship with Lysander had plummeted to rock bottom, beyond any chance of warming up again.

And it was because of him that her mother suffered endlessly, enduring humiliation, ultimately passing away with eyes still full of sorrow.

Thalassa was truly terrified of the word 'father', afraid of any stranger who might suddenly claim to be her dearest kin.

With a pained breath, Thalassa turned her face away, not answering Richard's question.

Seeing Thalassa's anguish and her refusal to respond, Richard tactfully dropped the subject, offering her a gentle out. "I respect your decision. You're not well right now. Focus on getting some rest."