The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1924

Two little munchkins barreled into Hertha, wrapping their arms around her legs, tilting their heads back, their cherubic faces beaming up at her with smiles.

Hertha was just about to say no, that Alaric hadn't arrived, and was mentally preparing to shoo them away gently. But seeing the innocence in the kids' faces, the pure hope in their young eyes for their daddy, she just couldn't bear to let them down.

She had grown up in a loving home, basking in both her mother's and father's love, in a family where her parents adored each other. Her childhood was steeped in happiness.

On the other hand, Thalassa had lost her father's love early on, and even as she grew, she often felt uneasy, introverted, and lonely. The pain of becoming withdrawn due to the absence of a certain kind of love was all too familiar, and it hurt Hertha to think about it.

That day, she had visited an orphanage and seen so many children abandoned, lacking the love of a father or a mother. They should have been enjoying a sunny, joyful childhood, but instead, the selfishness of adults had turned them into introverted souls. So young, yet they had lost their innate joy, becoming insecure, fragile, afraid of people, and sometimes mute.

If these were Hertha's children, she couldn't imagine how much her heart would ache. She couldn't stand the thought of her children feeling any bit of timidity or insecurity. Her children should always be healthy, radiant, and happy.

In just a few seconds, Hertha went through a profound internal struggle. Soon, a warm smile spread across her face, and she said to Julian and Helena, "Yes, your daddy has come to have dinner with us. Are you happy?"

She spoke softly, gently caressing their soft little cheeks.

"Yeah, happy!" Helena's bright, almond-shaped eyes sparkled with excitement.

At the door, Alaric, hearing Hertha relent, dared to push the door open and enter. Julian, with his keen eyes, spotted Alaric immediately. The little guy burst with excitement, letting go of Hertha and dashing towards him with his little legs.

"Daddy, you really came!"

"Ah, Daddy's here!"

Their excited screams filled the room, vibrant and cheerful. Julian was the first to reach Alaric, hugging his legs just as he had done with Hertha. Looking up, his eyes shone like stars in the night sky: "Daddy, you finally came to see us!"

"Daddy, why did you take so long? I was about to forget you," Helena said, pulling on Alaric's trouser leg, her voice filled with a hint of grievance. She rubbed her little face against his leg, pretending to wipe away tears and snot.

Their tender, longing voices nearly melted Alaric's heart. He squatted down, one child in each arm, and lovingly pressed his face against their soft, chubby cheeks.

"Daddy missed you too, but I was sick these past few days, and I didn't want to risk passing anything to you, so I stayed away. Only when I got better did I dare to come," Alaric's voice was low and captivating, a tone of gentleness he rarely showed.

The softness of the kids' cheeks was irresistible, making him long for more of their sweet cuddles.

"Daddy, did you go get shots when you were sick?" Helena, held in Alaric's arms, immediately showed concern upon hearing he was ill. Her bright, youthful eyes looked up at him with worry, combining with her tender voice to envelop Alaric in a pool of warmth and happiness.