The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 1982

"Daddy, I love you the most," Helena said, her tiny hands cupping Alaric's face as she planted a soft, mushy kiss on his cheek.

Her voice was so tender and sweet that it could melt anyone's heart. Alaric was over the moon, his heart turning into a puddle. His smile, as warm as the spring sunshine, gently brushed his cheek against Helena's soft face as he said, "Daddy loves you the most too."

"Daddy, me too," Julian said, taking small steps over to Alaric, clutching at his jeans and looking up for attention. Alaric looked down and met Julian’s hopeful eyes, freeing one hand to embrace Helena while using the other to gently pat Julian's head. "Daddy loves you a lot too," he said softly.

"Giggle... I love Daddy too," Julian laughed joyfully, expressing his love for his father.

Kimberly watched from the side, feeling a mix of annoyance and amusement. She was annoyed because Alaric, as their father, seemed to lack discretion in his actions, having another child with a different woman. She thought he hardly deserved the children's unconditional love! But the amusing part was that the children knew nothing of this. They only knew that Alaric was their dad, and they offered all their love without any reservation, never hiding their affection for him. Children truly are the most innocent beings.

"Alright, alright, weren't we going to go play on the slide? Let's go. It's almost time to head back home; it's getting dark," Kimberly said as she stepped forward and took Julian's hand. She could tell Alaric and Hertha had things to discuss, so it was best not to interrupt their conversation.

Hearing about the slide, Helena instantly forgot her declaration of love for Daddy and twisted out of Alaric’s embrace. Alaric, understanding her, let her down. Helena willingly went to Kimberly's side, taking her hand, and turned back to wave at Alaric. "Bye Daddy, I'm off to play on the slide. We'll play more later."

"Sure, focus on having fun on the slide, and don't miss Daddy too much," Alaric said, raising his hand to wave back. Kimberly led the two children away.

Only then did Hertha, who had been watching with a cold eye, sneer at Alaric. "What were you trying to do just now? Holding onto my hand, you weren't thinking of doing something, were you?" Alaric remembered his suspicion that Hertha's comment about him being eager to play the doting dad might imply Julian and Helena weren't his children. This had stirred a tempest in his heart. But all those doubts vanished with the children's interactions with him. Helena's eyes looked so much like his, and Julian’s demeanor was so similar to his own—how could they not be his children? Hertha's comment was clearly just to provoke him, knowing she would do anything to get a rise out of him.

Alaric touched his nose, trying to cover his awkwardness. "Oh, you got me wrong. I was just checking if your hands were cold."

"So, cold or hot, would you be able to feel the warmth if this fist landed on your face?" Hertha said, gritting her teeth and clenching her fist, rubbing it in her other hand.

Alaric quickly stepped back. "You're quite warm. No need for me now. I'll head back home." He turned briskly, reached his front door, punched in the code, and before stepping in, turned back to catch Hertha's gaze. He grinned wide, showing a mouthful of white teeth, which only made Hertha clench her fist tighter and march towards him. Alaric's smile vanished as he quickly slipped inside, closing the door behind him.

"Phew," he sighed, "Hertha can be quite the tiger sometimes."