The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1560

Over the years, Kimberly couldn't wrap her head around why Hertha had refused to listen to her. They had all agreed on a wedding date with Spencer, and yet, Hertha had flat-out rejected the idea of marrying him. She'd rather have a fallout with her parents than tie the knot with Spencer.

Kimberly was beside herself with frustration, unable to comprehend why Hertha was being so stubborn. Spencer was a catch by any standard – a stable job, a simple family background, and above all, he was mature, steady, considerate, and kind. Not to mention, the man knew his way around household chores. Marrying him would mean a life of comfort for Hertha.

But for reasons Kimberly couldn't fathom, Hertha turned her back on the idea of marrying Spencer, leading to a major argument between her and her mother. Hertha was even willing to leave her family home rather than marry him.

This decision deeply hurt Kimberly. Over the past three years, though Kimberly often thought of reaching out to Hertha, every time she dialed her daughter's number, memories of Hertha's defiance made her so angry that she'd hang up the phone.

Now, understanding the reason behind Hertha's refusal to marry Spencer and the hardships Hertha had endured brought a mix of urgency, anger, and sympathy to Kimberly's heart.

She couldn't find it in herself to blame Hertha anymore.

Though Hertha hadn't shared all the details, Kimberly, being a woman and a mother herself, knew all too well the difficulties of childbirth and the struggles that come with it. And to think Hertha went through all that without her mother by her side to offer care, it was all Hertha, enduring the pain and hardship on her own.

With these thoughts, Kimberly felt an overwhelming sense of empathy and guilt, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Mom, I'm okay, don't worry," Hertha said, seeing the pain in her mother's eyes, quickly trying to comfort her.

Wiping away her tears, Kimberly looked at Hertha and said, "Be honest with me, have you been holding a grudge against us these past three years? You went through childbirth and raising a child all on your own, without even contacting us. Did you take to heart what I said about not considering me your mother if you left?"

Kimberly regretted her harsh words more than anything. Her angry remark had caused her daughter to suffer so much.

"It's not like that, Mom. I just didn't know how to bring it up," Hertha hurried to reassure her, hearing the self-reproach in her mother's voice.

Seeing her mother like this broke Hertha's heart too.

Hearing her mother's words, Hertha choked up, tears streaming down her face as she embraced her mother, seeking comfort like a little girl once again.

Despite the hardships of the past three years, the sleepless nights caring for her children, and the breakdowns, Hertha had never let herself cry. But now, faced with her mother's guilt and affection, her defenses were shattered, and she wept openly.

...

Three days later.

As Alaric was leaving work, heading back to Gulfstream Community, his phone rang. It was Angelina, calling him for the first time since he had left home.

Hesitating for a moment, Alaric picked up the call.