The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1684

Alaric's fingers gently caressed Hertha's jawline, his voice magnetic and alluring.

Curious little heads peeked out from Hertha's embrace as the two children gazed up at Alaric with wide, inquisitive eyes.

Before Hertha could respond to Alaric's question, his gaze met the soft, enchanting eyes of the little girl. They were striking, with corners that curved up invitingly, just like his own.

How had he never considered that this could be his own daughter?

And the little boy, upon closer inspection, shared his features too, though his eyes mirrored Hertha's exactly.

The innocence in the children's eyes melted Alaric's heart in a way he couldn't explain.

Startled by Alaric's words, Hertha turned her head away, shaking off his hand, and retorted, "Why are you so full of yourself, always thinking everything's about you? The 'heartthrob' I mentioned isn't you!"

As she attempted to flee, Alaric swiftly moved to block her path.

Towering like a wall, he stopped Hertha in her tracks. He stepped forward, reaching out to take the children from her arms.

Hertha's alarm bells went off, her eyes widening in defiance, "Alaric, stop right there! Don't come any closer!"

Alaric halted, his gaze filled with confusion and scrutiny as he looked at her.

Caught in Alaric's piercing gaze, Hertha's heartbeat quickened, guilt making her avoid his eyes, "If you don't believe me, I'll just call the kids' father over to confront you. See if he has the same eyes."

"Yeah, Mommy, did you and him make us?" Helena added, nodding along with her brother's question.

Despite being just over two years old, the kids had picked up on the concept of parents from cartoons—they knew that babies come from a mommy and a daddy together, not just a mommy alone.

Hertha froze, already overwhelmed by handling Alaric, and now Julian and Helena started asking questions too.

Feeling the weight of three pairs of eyes scrutinizing her, her blood ran cold with anxiety.

Hugging the children close, she stared resolutely at Alaric, "Don't flatter yourself too much. I had no intention of hiding anything from you!"