"You..." His words almost had Hertha cursing him out loud. She shot him an irritated glance before swallowing her anger.
Forget it, she thought. She was driving, and it was her brand new car. The last thing she needed was another fender bender marring its perfection.
"Are you under skind of misunderstanding about me? How could I possibly be the foolish one? You take the cake, falling over yourself to play the hero for others." Hertha couldn't help but feel a lump in he throat when she thought of Georgia using the threat of a child against Alaric.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHer child, however, was indeed Alaric's, but she would never use their child to manipulate Alaric.
Georgia, on the other hand, had stooped to hiring a child to manipulate Alaric. It was beyond ridiculous. "Hertha, what are you implying? Could it be that Julian and Helena are yours and Spencer's?" Alaric's face darkened.
"You're not foolish, you're downright dumb!" Hertha was so furious she nearly choked.
Damn Alaric, she thought. Even after she had spelled it out for him, he still doubted her instead of Georgia! This man was truly hopeless! "Hey, Hertha, be honest with me, are they?" Alaric was trapped in a maze of his own thoughts, genuinely believing Hertha's comment about being happy for others was about her own children. He asked, his anxiety evident.
Hertha couldn't even bother to entertain his questions, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. In the past, she would have vented her anger by speeding.
But she cherished her new car, and no matter how angry she was, she refrained from speeding now.
Clutching the steering wheel, her inner turmoil was like a tempest, yet she remained outwardly calm, driving steadily.
Throughout the ride, Alaric was sullen, his mood far from bright.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmUpon reaching Gulfstream Community, Hertha parked the car with precision, storming out and heading towards the building. Alaric followed suit, quickening his pace to keep up with Hertha.
Neither spoke, each enveloped in their own chilly aura as they entered the elevator, the tension palpable in the confined space.
M Silence reigned until they reached their floor, Hertha stepped out first, with Alaric close behind. He knew if she entered the apartment, any chance of conversation would be lost.
Quickening his pace, Alaric reached for Hertha's sleeve. "Hertha, just tell me, are the kids..."
He was cut off as the door ahead opened, revealing Kimberly and two little bundles of joy. Wapped up for the winter chill, they resembled adorable puffballs, their rosy cheeks and bright eyes peeking out. Looking up, Helena greeted them with a soft, innocent smile. "Mommy, Daddy, you're back!" "Mommy, Daddy!" Julian echoed, his voice filled with joy.
Their innocent, endearing voices instantly melted Alaric's heart his stern face breaking into a smile.
"Hey, Julian, Helena, Daddy's back." He let go of Hertha's hand, moving forward to scoop Helena into his ΕΠ arms. X