The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1696

Alaric stumbled into Hertha with such force that their bodies collided, prompting an involuntary gasp from Hertha as if her soul was being lightly brushed. Alaric tensed up, his eyes misty, locking his gaze with Hertha, who was merely inches away. It was as if he could feel her heartbeat, thundering wildly like a storm surge.

After a night of calm, the storm within Alaric rose again. His hands found her waist, pulling her closer. Their bodies rubbed against each other, igniting sparks in the steam-filled bathroom, making Hertha's body burn with heat. She looked up at Alaric with wide eyes.

"Hertha, what on earth are you doing in there making such a racket?" Kimberly's voice approached the bathroom. Panic struck Hertha. She tried to push Alaric away, her heart racing.

Her mother was actually coming. The door wasn't locked. If her mother came in and saw them like this, it would be even more embarrassing than just finding Alaric alone! Hertha's heart raced, wishing she could just disappear.

Seeing her panic, Alaric stepped back and swiftly closed and locked the bathroom door just as Kimberly's footsteps neared. The series of actions were swift and smooth.

Just as the lock clicked, Kimberly arrived, asking from behind the door, "Hertha, are you in there?" Seeing the door shut, Hertha's panic subsided slightly. Through the frosted glass, she could see Kimberly's silhouette.

While pulling Alaric behind her, she tried to sound normal, "Mom, I'm just taking a shower." As she spoke, Alaric, hidden behind her, squeezed her shoulders as if giving a massage.

"Ah!" Hertha yelped, not used to the firm touch, and shot Alaric a fierce glare. Alaric blinked innocently and shrugged, as if to say he was only trying to help her relax.

"Hertha, what's wrong? Open the door!" Kimberly, concerned by the yelp, knocked on the door.

"Oh, it's nothing, I just slipped but I'm fine now," Hertha quickly made up an excuse. If her mother knew Alaric was in the shower with her, she would be furious, and the embarrassment would be unbearable.

Fortunately, with no lights on in the bathroom, it was hard to see clearly from the outside, especially how many people there were. Hertha pulled Alaric behind her, worried her mother might see two shadows through the frosted glass. At least with her in front, it would be less noticeable.

"Why are you showering at noon?" Kimberly nagged.

"I was too tired last night, fell asleep without showering. Just making up for it now," Hertha explained, feeling more guilty than ever. Her heart raced with nervousness and guilt.

"What were you doing last night that made you so tired? And where's Alaric? Isn't he with you?" Kimberly asked.

At the mention of Alaric's name, Hertha's blood ran cold, fearing her mother might suspect something. She shot Alaric a quick glare and answered, "He left yesterday."

"He left? How did your talk go?" Kimberly was curious. She was there to find out how Hertha and Alaric planned to proceed, especially with a baby on the way.

"Not... not much..." Hertha finished weakly, taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart. One scare after another, she thought, this could literally give her a heart attack.