chapter2
Five years later, the train station in Starhaven buzzed with its usual chaotic energy.
Thalassa maneuvered through the crowd, her shoulders weighed down by luggage of all sizes. Following closely behind her were four small, adorable figures, waddling along like a row of miniature penguins. Their striking looks—bright eyes and radiant smiles—drew curious and warm glances from everyone they passed.
Her mother, Evelyn, wiped her brow, her voice a mix of exhaustion and hidden pride. "Thalassa, my feet haven't touched the ground all day. Raising four of them at once is a task I never expected. Just look at us—traveling with everything we own. We need to find our footing in this city quickly."
Thalassa took a deep breath, adjusting a heavy strap. "I know, Mom. I appreciate everything you do. Once I secure a steady position, the first thing we'll do is get you something comfortable and new. We're here for a better future."
Returning to Starhaven was a strategic move. Five years ago, her life had been upended by a stormy night and the subsequent collapse of the old woodshed. The emerald pendant, the only link to the man from that night, had been lost under the rubble. When she discovered she was carrying quadruplets, she had chosen to embrace the challenge, leaving her studies to raise Atticus, Dorian, Elowen, and Sophia. They were her world now, and the search for the stranger had long since faded into a secondary concern.
"Granny, let me help with that," Atticus said, his young voice steady and considerate. He reached for a water bottle in Evelyn's bag to share with his siblings, his small face focused on lightening her load.
"I’ll give you a massage when we get home, Granny," Dorian added softly, his large, expressive eyes filled with genuine care.
"And I’ll help with dinner!" Elowen chirped, her long eyelashes fluttering as she smiled, while Sophia, looking cool in her baseball cap, nodded in firm agreement.
The sight of her four children—two boys and two girls—filled Thalassa with a renewed sense of purpose. Their innocence was the fuel that kept her moving forward through every hardship.
"You're a lucky woman," a passerby commented to Evelyn. "Such polite and sensible children."
Evelyn beamed, her fatigue momentarily forgotten. "They are my daughter’s children—quadruplets. They are like little angels sent to keep us going."
After settling into their modest rental apartment, Thalassa immediately prepared to head out. She had secured a high-paying part-time shift as a promotional server at Sapphire Skyline, one of Starhaven’s most prestigious venues.
"I’ve prepared dinner for the kids, Mom," Thalassa said, applying a touch of light makeup. "I'll be back late. The commission from tonight could buy the children the winter coats they need."
At the club, Thalassa was handed her uniform—a professional, sleek black dress designed for the upscale nightlife. Though she felt a flicker of discomfort with the evening attire, she steeled herself. Each bottle of premium beverage sold meant a significant commission—enough to cover weeks of groceries.
"Listen up, Thalassa," the manager said, handing her a tray set with two exquisite bottles. "These are for the V8 VIP suite. These are high-profile guests—influential and discerning. If you can facilitate a sale here, the commission is a thousand dollars. Stay professional, stay attentive, and tread carefully."
Thalassa nodded, her grip on the tray firm. She wasn't here for the glamour of the nightlife; she was here for the four little faces waiting for her at home. With a silent prayer for a successful night, she headed toward the VIP corridor.