The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 2002

Hertha rolled her eyes at Alaric, clearly unimpressed.

Undeterred, Alaric kept babbling as he followed her, "This time, it's really like the sun rising in the west."

No sooner had he finished his sentence than Hertha shot him another eye roll. Everyone knew the sun could never rise in the west. He was still trying to deceive her with such nonsense.

"Oops, I misspoke again. What I meant to say was, this time, you can trust that I’m sincere. The moment I found out that Alar isn't my son, you were the first person I thought of. I’m scared of losing you. Please, give me another chance."

Alaric's words came straight from the heart. He had already lost three years, and life, whether long or short, seemed to flash by in an instant. If he and Hertha didn't spend their youth together, they would miss out on countless joyous moments in their old age. So, Alaric didn’t want to waste any more precious time.

"What does Alar not being your son have to do with me? Stop bugging me!" Hertha snapped, pushing Alaric away. Alaric staggered backward from the force of her push. Clearly, she really didn't want him following her.

Alaric's breathing became erratic. He could handle Hertha being mad at him, but he couldn't stand her saying he was of no concern to her and telling him to stop bothering her.

The city's hustle and bustle, with its constant flow of cars and honking, normally wouldn't bother him, but at that moment, it felt particularly grating. Everything seemed to irritate him when he was out of sorts.

His gaze found its way back to Hertha, who looked so frail compared to three years ago when she had a fuller, more endearing figure. Now, she seemed so thin, her silhouette so delicate it was heartbreaking.

He remembered how, three years earlier, when Hertha pursued him, he had cruelly rebuffed her, calling her overweight. After that, he hadn't seen Hertha for a long time. When they next met, she had slimmed down dramatically, yet she remained upbeat and carefree, with a hearty disposition akin to a boy's.

But now, Hertha's demeanor had taken on a touch of melancholy and maturity. For some, maturity was an appealing trait, but for others, it only added to their allure while also evoking a sense of poignancy.

After attending Spencer's wedding, an event filled with dramatic and hazardous moments that sent her emotions on a rollercoaster ride, Hertha felt utterly exhausted. Dealing with Alaric's persistence and his words only added to her emotional turmoil. It was as if she had been on a rollercoaster all day, and by the time she got back to her apartment complex, she was completely drained. All Hertha wanted now was to go home and rest.

She took the elevator to her floor, and as the doors opened and she stepped out, she was startled by the figure waiting outside. Upon recognizing the person, with his charming, fox-like features and beguiling eyes, Hertha's heart skipped a beat. But she quickly regained her composure and glared at him, exasperated, "Alaric, are you out of your mind?"

"Yes, I am, and only you can cure me. Would you be my remedy?" Alaric replied, his voice a blend of mischief and tenderness.

Hertha shuddered, goosebumps forming, "Are you trying to be sleazy? That’s not how you win a woman's heart, you know. Women can't stand greasy men."