Chapter 1409
Anyone in their right mind would have settled down with Georgia by now, cozying up to the Reeds, wouldn’t they?
Hertha cracked a smile and said, “Alaric, you’re not exactly basking in sunshine, and your brain’s not firing on all cylinders either.”
“Hertha, I’m really not in the mood for your sass now!” Alaric snapped back, anger edging his voice.
“I’m not sassing you. If you’re so keen on snagging the CEO spot at Falconer Group, then just tie the knot with Georgia and get in good with the Reeds. They’ve got the clout to make your dreams come true soon. Why on earth were you fighting with Georgia about anyway?” Hertha pressed, her tone serious.
“What do
you think our fight was about? It was about defending you, wasn’t it?” Alaric blurted out without thinking.
People could say he climbed the ladder thanks to the Reeds, that they looked down on him.
But hearing it from Hertha, it stung. It felt like a heavy stone pressing on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
At Alaric’s words, Hertha froze, her eyes wide with disbelief.
He had argued with Georgia because of her! He had risked all he had achieved in the past three years just to stand up for her?
Could it be that she still held a place in his heart?
This realization sent Hertha’s pulse racing, the emotions she had kept at bay surged like the tide, threatening to overflow.
Feeling the intensity of her gaze, Alaric was moved. He stepped closer and reached out, wanting to caress her cheek.
His fingertips barely grazed her skin, the heat of the touch felt like a burn to Hertha, who instinctively stepped back to keep distance between them.
Avoiding his gaze, she stammered, “You don’t have to do this for me. If you hadn’t stepped in, I would have torn her apart myself. You’re the one who held me back. Georgia might not see it, but I do. You act like you’re defending me, but really, you’re protecting her. You’re afraid I’ll hit her again, aren’t you?”
She was rejecting Alaric’s kindness.
The possibility of rekindling anything with Alaric, especially after three years and with him being engaged, was not on her agenda.
Hertha’s fiery temper was no mystery to Alaric. She had lashed out at Georgia before.
Her words seemed to make sense. Yet, to Alaric, they brought an unexpected pang of hurt.
His hand, which had been reaching for her cheek, fell back to his side. His eyes were clouding with a sense of loss.
Just then, the elevator reached the lobby, and the doors slid open.
Hertha quickly squeezed past him and darted out. Her eyes scanned the hotel foyer frantically for Thalassa.
Spotting her friend sitting in the lounge area, Hertha hurried over.
Grabbing Thalassa’s arm, she pulled her up and they bolted for the exit. Hertha whispered urgently, “Let’s get out of here, now!”
Seeing Hertha’s panic, Thalassa didn’t ask any questions. They ran to the car and jumped in quickly.
“Drive, Thalassa, drive!” Hertha urged.
Buckling up, Thalassa started the engine and asked curiously, “What happened? Did Alaric try to eat you alive or something?”
“Worse than that. I realized I’m not over him! The closer he gets, the more I want to throw myself at him, what’s with that? I’m not afraid of him, I’m afraid of myself!”
Hertha took a deep breath and patted her chest, still shaken.
Thalassa glanced at her in the rear–view mirror and inquired, “What actually went down between you two? You seem frantic.”
“The problem is nothing happened, but I still can’t control myself. That’s why it’s scary. I can’t get close to him or my secret’s out. I don’t want to end up like you,” Hertha said.