Thalassa paced back and forth in the living room. It had been over an hour since Luisa had gone upstairs after their argument, and Thalassa was really bothered.

Usually, Luisa would call and ask her opinion about what dress to wear or how her make up looked, but she hadn't called her tonight.

With a sigh, Thalassa climbed the stairs and knocked on Luisa's bedroom door.

"Luisa, do you need my help with anything?" she asked.

"No, thanks," came the curt reply.

Thalassa pressed her lips together in frustration. Turning, she made her way back downstairs. Just as she reached the bottom, the doorbell rang.

She walked over and opened it to find Alden standing there with an awkward smile.

"Hey, Thalassa," he greeted. "Is Luisa ready?"

"I'll go get her for you "

Before she could call for Luisa, her friend appeared at the top of the stairs and began descending, her eyes lighting up when she saw Alden.

Alden's gaze never left Luisa. "You look gorgeous," he whispered.

Luisa blushed slightly and smiled. "Thank you."

Alden stepped closer, his expression shifting as he extended his hand to her. "Can we go?" he asked, but his tone was distant, distracted.

Luisa frowned. "Is something wrong?"

Alden hesitated before letting out a sigh. "It's Kris," he said quietly. "I've never seen him like this before. He's... shattered."

Luisa nodded sympathetically. "It must be hard for him, finding out his mother's capable of such things." Alden shook his head. "It's more than that. He blames himself for the loss of his unborn child. I've tried to tell him it wasn't his fault, but he won't listen. He's drowning in guilt."

He froze, suddenly remembering that Thalassa was still standing nearby. His face flushed slightly as he looked at her. "I'm sorry, Thalassa. You probably don't want to hear all this."

Thalassa kept her face neutral and shook her head. "It's fine," she said, before turning and walking toward the kitchen, trying to hide her slightly trembling hands.

Watching her go, Luisa's eyes narrowed before she turned to Alden. "Can you wait for me in the car? I'll be there in a minute.'

Alden raised a confused brow but nodded. "Sure. Take your time."

As Alden left, Luisa marched toward Thalassa, grabbing her arm and spinning her around, her eyes blazing with frustration. "What's wrong with you?"

Thalassa stared at her. "What?"

"How can you remain so emotionless after everything Alden told you Kris is going through?"

Thalassa's jaw tightened. Emotionless? Hearing everything Alden said had been like knives pricking at

her skin and her heart, but what was she supposed to do.

"Kris is devastated and wallowing in guilt because he thinks you lost your child and it's all his fault."

"I did lose my child, Luisa." Thalassa gritted out, her voice wavering slightly.

"Yes, you lost one child, but you didn't lose the other!" Luisa shot back. "Remember how broken you were when you thought you'd lost your pregnancy? You told me you felt like you had no reason to live. Then Alex came, and he gave you a lifeline. Now put yourself in Kris's shoes. He's feeling just as broken as you felt years ago, maybe even worse because he thinks it's all his fault. Don't you think he deserves to have a lifeline too? He deserves to know the truth about Alex, Thalassa."

Thalassa's nostrils flared. "Are you saying you're going to tell him?"

Luisa pursed her lips into a grim line. "I'm saying Kris deserves to know the truth. I won't tell him. It's not my place. But if you keep hiding Alex from him, then you're just being selfish and cruel."

Thalassa flinched at the word 'selfish?'. Her expression hardened as she watched Luisa turn and walk out of the house.

But it didn't take long for her

hardened expression to crumble as tears that had been threatening to fall now spilled freely down her

cheeks, She furiously wiped how net

cheeks, reminding herself that she'd promised not to break down again, but it was no use.

It was as if a dam had broken behind her eyes, and the tears just kept flooding. She sank into the couch, burying her face in her hands as memories came rushing back.

Kris, doing everything possible to make her miserable during their marriage.

Kris believing his mother's lies and having her arrested for three days before having his lawyer serve her divorce papers.

Kris refusing to believe her when she told him about the pregnancy and throwing her out in the middle of the night.

But there were also other memories of before they got married.

Kris, telling her he couldn't wait to start a family with her.

Kris, telling her that he would adore their future children until they got sick of too much love.

More tears spilled from her eyes. Had she really been selfish for wanting to keep her son, the most important person in her life, away from Kris and his evil family?

The sobs wracked her body, and she let herself cry for what felt like hours. She cried for her lost child, for the shattered promises, and for the confusion and pain that still weighed her down.

Finally, when she felt too exhausted to cry anymore, Thalassa wiped her tear-streaked face and sat up. Her eyes were puffy, her body heavy with fatigue, but her mind was clearer.noveldrama

She reached for her phone on the coffee table, her fingers trembling as she dialed Betty's number. The call connected after a few rings.

"Hello, Thalassa," Betty's cheerful voice answered. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Thalassa lied, her voice shaky. "Can you please give the phone to Alex?"

"Sure."

There was a pause, then a little voice came on the line. "Mummy!"

Thalassa's heart swelled, and tears filled her eyes again. "Hey, my little love," she whispered. "I miss you so much."

"I miss you too, Mummy!" Alex's voice was filled with excitement. "When will I see you again?" "Soon," she promised, her voice breaking. "Very soon."

They talked for a few more moments before Thalassa hung up. Afterwards, she stared at her phone, her finger hovering over Kris's name in her call log. She hesitated, then pressed the call button.

The phone rang, but it went straight to voicemail.

Thalassa closed her eyes and tried again. Still, voicemail.

She brought her phone to her mouth and spoke. "Kris...please call me when you get this. There's something I need to tell you."