The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1762

"Making others happy isn't such a bad thing, you know." Lysander pulled Thalassa into his embrace, his words a gentle reply to her earlier query.

Leaning against the broad expanse of Lysander's chest, Thalassa paused for a moment, absorbing his words. Being with Lysander had sharpened her intuition; she often grasped his meaning immediately.

He was talking about making others happy.

Which meant his agreement to marry Rosalind was for her happiness, for Joshua's, for Zephyr's.

That once indomitable Lysander, whom no one could influence, had suddenly embraced such a passive stance.

Was it because of his leg?

The thought plunged Thalassa into a deep, somber mood.

Just as she was engulfed in her sorrow, Lysander's deep, magnetic voice filled the air again. "I'm curious about your reaction, too. Seeing me marry another woman, would you really stand idly by?"

Thalassa's heart clenched in an instant, and she sat upright in surprise, her big, dewy eyes fixed on Lysander. "Wait, was this a trap?"

If she guessed correctly, Lysander's marriage to Rosalind was a ploy to provoke her into action, to confess her feelings for him?

Was all this planned by him?

Oh my God, that's terrifying!

She thought her boldness in attempting to disrupt the wedding was a sign of newfound courage.

But it was all part of Lysander's scheme.

Lysander was still the same cunning person, always several steps ahead.

Was Rosalind merely a pawn to test her feelings?

Thalassa suddenly understood the depth of Lysander's despair.

He was willing to trade his own happiness for the satisfaction of others.

Realizing this, Thalassa felt both heartache and remorse. She buried her face in Lysander's chest, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck, her voice tinged with apology and guilt. "Lysander, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you, misunderstood so much. I've been too cowardly, too afraid to confront my own feelings..."

It was her evasion that almost cost them a lifetime of happiness.

Listening to Thalassa's tender voice, Lysander felt a warmth spreading through him, his breath becoming ragged. Tilting her chin up, his voice rough with emotion, he asked, "I'm giving you one more chance to leave. Do you want it?"

His gaze was intense, piercing.

Without a moment's hesitation, Thalassa shook her head vigorously. "No, I don't want to leave. I want to stay by your side forever..."

"Good, because you no longer have a choice." With those words, Lysander's voice dropped to a whisper before he passionately kissed her.