Chapter 17
“I can’t,” Galatea thought, her panic rising within her.
“You can’t?” Alaric’s voice dripped with disdain as he eyed her. “No boyfriend? You’re not very good at your little tricks.”
His words stung, vicious and venomous, cutting into her self-control.
“You bastard!” Galatea seethed, fury bubbling within her.
“Last time you came to my place, wasn’t it to ask for a favor?” Alaric taunted, his voice oozing cruelty. “This is how you ask for help. Moan, and the louder, the better.”
He thrust toward her again, causing her physical pain. His grip on her chest tightened painfully. “Yes, that’s it. Moan like that.”
“It hurts, you jerk!” Galatea cried, the words spilling out in a desperate rush. She was trapped—caught in the nightmare of his twisted game. Her mind screamed that she was facing a madman.
Meanwhile, outside the room, Orion, hearing the commotion, was beside herself. Could it be? Another woman in Alaric’s room? Her heart pounded in confusion and betrayal. Was this the real reason Alaric was pulling away—not because of Caspian, but because he was seeing someone else?
The pain in Galatea’s chest grew unbearable, her body aching under his rough treatment. She gasped in agony, her voice a strained echo. “Let go! It hurts!”
“Seems you truly don’t know how,” Alaric observed, a smirk playing on his lips as he surveyed her struggles. His gaze turned cold, his words cutting deeper. “Didn’t you have a child? You don’t even know this?”
Her mind raced, panic clouding her thoughts. The height difference between them made it impossible for her to hide what she could feel slipping out of her grasp. Instinctively, she adjusted her clothes, covering herself, and then, a plan hatched in her mind.
With a seductive smile, she tilted her head, her voice soft and feigned innocence. “Maybe you could teach me… how to scream?” she asked, her eyes locking with his in a daring challenge.
Alaric stepped closer, his breath brushing against her skin as he lifted her chin with a possessive gentleness. He gazed at her, as though savoring her beauty, though his eyes betrayed an undercurrent of disdain. With a smirk, he leaned in, his words dripping with mocking amusement. “Done pretending, huh?”
But Galatea held firm. Her smile never wavered as she responded with calm ease, “You’ve got it wrong. I just want you to show me… how to scream.”
The moment her words hung in the air, Galatea acted. With precision, she seized Alaric’s arm and bit down hard on his wrist. Her teeth sank into his skin, drawing blood. His face twisted in pain as a growl escaped him.
She held on, refusing to let go until she felt she’d done enough damage. Only then did she release him, pulling back with a provocative look. “Why didn’t you scream? I was hoping to learn.”
Alaric’s rage flared. His face turned crimson as he gripped his injured arm, glaring at her with fury in his eyes. “You’re asking for it now,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.
Galatea felt a chill run down her spine as she watched the vein at his temple pulse, a menacing energy building in the room. Her heart raced, her thoughts scrambling for a way out. But the dark, bloodshot look in his eyes made her falter. She couldn’t shake the sense that things were about to spiral completely out of control.
Outside, Orion’s sobs grew more frantic, her voice hoarse with pleading. She knocked incessantly at the door, but Alaric didn’t respond.
“Orion, what are you doing?” Cormac’s voice cut through the air as he grabbed his sister by the arm. “You’re a public figure. Do you understand the consequences if the paparazzi catch this?”
Orion’s frustration boiled over. “Aren’t you my brother? Why aren’t you helping me? Alaric’s got another woman in there!”
“You need to calm down and think this through,” Cormac insisted, pulling Orion away from the door. “Let’s go home. We’ll deal with this tomorrow.”
“No! He’s got a mistress in there!” Orion shouted, fighting against him.
“Mom, Cormac, what are you guys doing here?” Harry’s voice interrupted, a sharp edge to his words as he emerged from the elevator, clearly agitated.
Cormac turned on him. “Why aren’t you at home, Harry? Why are you here?”
Harry pointed accusingly at Orion. “You should be asking her. She’s like a wicked stepmother to me! She mistreats me, and I had to drag Dad into a hotel to get away from her.”
“That woman inside—did you invite her?” Orion demanded, fury rising. She reached for Harry, but Cormac intervened quickly.
“Orion, calm down. He’s just a kid,” Cormac warned, his tone firm.
Without hesitation, Cormac scooped Harry into his arms, the boy clinging to him, feigning fear. “Cormac, save me! She’s going to hit me again!”
“Alright,” Cormac snapped, glaring at Orion. “Don’t make this worse. Caspian, don’t be afraid. I won’t let your mom hurt you.”
“Thanks, Cormac,” Harry said, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Let my old man rest tonight, or I’ll just come home with you.”
Before Cormac could respond, Harry continued, his voice light but with a mischievous twist, “Please? I have amnesia and forgot everything about you, but I like you, Cormac.”
Cormac stood still for a moment, taken aback. Had this really been Caspian speaking? The boy had always been distant, aloof, and yet now he acted… almost coy?
“Fine, you can stay at my place tonight,” Cormac finally agreed, shaking his head in bemusement. Then, turning to Orion, he added, “You’re coming with me too.”
As Cormac took Harry in the elevator, the boy smirked triumphantly, knowing he’d just orchestrated the perfect setup for his mother and Alaric to have a moment alone. Meanwhile, back in the room, Galatea was still caught in the throes of her torment.
Furious over Alaric’s actions, she saw an opening when he paused—her chance to strike. She raised her hand to slap him, but his grip was fast, catching her wrist with unnerving precision.
“Stop struggling,” he growled. “Where have you hidden my son?”
“I haven’t seen him! When will you let this go?” Galatea’s voice cracked with frustration as she fought against him. She was done explaining herself.
Just then, Alaric’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. A message from Cormac flashed up: “Your son is staying with me tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll bring him back tomorrow.”
Caspian was with Cormac? Galatea’s heart skipped a beat. How could this be?
With Alaric distracted, she seized the moment, kicking him hard in the chest. He stumbled back, momentarily losing his balance. Galatea scrambled toward the door, but to her horror, it wouldn’t budge. She yanked at the lock, desperately trying to free herself, but it was no use.
As the silence stretched on, Galatea noticed Alaric’s heavy breathing. When she finally turned to look at him, she froze. The sight of his pale face, his labored gasps, made something in her stomach twist with dread.