The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1604

She barely dared to breathe too loudly, terrified that any sign of her uneven breaths or racing heartbeat would give away how she truly felt, possibly leading to misunderstandings.

It irked her, knowing full well that Lysander was head over heels for Rosalind, that Rosalind was the one he planned to marry. And yet, he'd go to such lengths to make Rosalind happy, even if it meant letting Susan metaphorically 'eliminate' her, removing the thorn in Rosalind's side once and for all.

Despite understanding the futility of her feelings toward Lysander, that they could never be, she had resolved to treat him as a familiar stranger. But whenever he came too close, her body betrayed her, tingling uncontrollably, her heartbeat quickening. She despised this weakness in herself, this lack of control.

Lysander gently lifted Thalassa's leg onto his lap, leaning in to inspect the bruise on her leg. It was just a bruise, no cuts or scrapes. He straightened up, his deep gaze meeting Thalassa's, and asked, "Do you have any ice at home?"

"In the freezer, down below," Thalassa replied. This was the first time she had held his gaze for more than a few seconds. Seeing his calm demeanor, she realized her leg was still resting on his, his thigh warm against her skin. The warmth spread up her leg to her heart, coloring her cheeks red.

Thalassa quickly withdrew her leg, stating, "I'll get it."

"Stay put, I'll get it," Lysander insisted, making his way to the freezer. Soon, he returned with a large block of ice, pulled a throw from the couch to wrap it, and gently lifted her leg back onto his lap.

Thalassa realized what he intended and hurriedly offered, "I can do it myself."

"Don't move," Lysander's firm hand gripped her leg. Thalassa stayed still, letting her leg rest on his. He held her ankle with one hand while reaching for the wrapped ice with the other. His fingers brushed her skin inadvertently, the roughness of his touch against her soft skin sending a shiver through her. Thalassa stiffened, her heart skipping a beat. Thankfully, her reaction was internal, hidden from view, saving her from embarrassment.

It was frustrating. No matter how many times she reminded herself to see Lysander as just another stranger, her body reacted to him with alarming sensitivity. Lysander secured her leg, placing the ice on the bruised area.

Once the ice was in place, Lysander looked up at Thalassa, "Why downplay your injury?" Thalassa fluttered her eyelashes, avoiding his gaze, "I didn't want you to feel indebted."

"Do you really think we can live without owing each other anything?" Lysander's voice was deep, husky, unsettling Thalassa's heart. She knew the intensity of his gaze all too well, daring not to meet it, her eyes casting about aimlessly.

"Isn't that what we're doing now?" Thalassa countered. Was she not distancing herself, letting go of all grievances to sever ties with him?

A twinge of pain crossed Lysander's heart. His voice deepened, "I was reckless, pushing your mother to testify at the police station against Bruce, to pin the blame on him. That led Bruce to harbor resentment, unleashing those scandals."

Those scandals had weighed heavily on Evelyn Pendleton, driving her to a breaking point.