The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1664

The pain in her heart was so intense it circled back to tranquility. It was the kind of peace that felt like her heart had turned to ashes. Thalassa gave a cold chuckle before replying to Joshua, “Did you ask me here just to say this?”

“Thalassa, give up on Lysander. You two can't be together. I've heard that Callum has taken a liking to you. Callum is gentle, tender-hearted, and easy-going. If you spend your life with him, I'd be at ease. I want you to be happy,” Joshua said earnestly.

The irony and desolation of his words struck Thalassa. Happy? How hollow that sounded. He was urging her to give up on her children's father, simply to clear the path for his youngest daughter. Pushing her towards another man was just to secure his daughter's future without worry. He never considered her needs and feelings, nor what would become of her four children. Claiming to wish her happiness, his actions were merely making way for his daughter.

Although Thalassa didn't have many expectations of being with Lysander and was aware of the deep issues between them, being advised to step aside for Joshua's daughter felt entirely different. This false veil of paternal concern, so eager to harm, showed Thalassa once more the cruelty of being unchosen, the desolation.

“You're overthinking it. I won't compete with her. How you plan her life is your business, but please don't arrange mine,” Thalassa said before turning to leave. No heartbreaking tears, no hysterical outbursts. Her words were as calm as if Joshua had brought up nothing more significant than the weather.

Joshua said nothing more as he watched Thalassa leave the hospital room. Her composure surprised him. He had expected tears, a struggle with pain. But she showed no signs of distress. Thalassa proved stronger and more resilient than he had imagined.

As Thalassa stepped out, Matilda entered, asking Joshua with concern, “Well, did she agree?”

Joshua lied: “She did.”

“Really!” Matilda's face lit up with joy. She hugged Joshua and kissed him, saying, “Honey, I knew you could make it happen. I love you so much.”

Joshua was the only one who could clear the path for Rosalind's marriage. And it was Matilda's influence that hardened his resolve, choosing Rosalind over Thalassa. After the accident, Matilda took care of him, whispering sweet nothings, flattering him until Joshua naturally leaned towards Rosalind.

As Thalassa hurried away from the hospital, she saw Lysander getting out of a stretched Lincoln, pushing a wheelchair. The moment she saw Lysander, her heart clenched, her breath lost its steady rhythm. Thinking Lysander hadn't seen her, she quickly looked away, but his deep gaze caught hers. Their eyes met, and his intense gaze was like a beam of light cutting through her gloomy heart, breath-takingly painful.

Thalassa quickly diverted her gaze, pretending not to see Lysander and walked straight ahead. She intentionally took a longer route to widen the distance between them. As she walked, she could feel Lysander's sharp gaze on her, making her heart race and her pain intensify as they came closer. At their closest distance, her heart beat furiously, a mix of panic and a strange hope that he might call out to her.