Chapter 18
Alaric’s face was paler than usual, beads of sweat clinging to his forehead in a steady stream. His breathing was labored, shallow gasps that spoke of discomfort and pain.
“Are you feeling unwell?” Galatea asked, concern creeping into her voice. Instinctively, she moved closer to assess him, but as soon as she did, he growled sharply, “Get out!”
His voice, harsh and commanding, sent a chill through her. Despite the state he was in, the force in his tone was palpable, making her hesitate for a moment.
“Listen, your body’s clearly in distress,” she insisted, her medical instincts kicking in. “I’m a doctor. I can help. Just tell me what’s wrong.”
“I said, get out!” His voice was booming now, tinged with something almost predatory.
Galatea clenched her fists, irritation bubbling beneath her skin. His attitude was infuriating, but she couldn’t ignore the fact that he was in pain, even if his pride was getting in the way.
He asked for it, making me leave. Why should I bother with this reckless man? The thought crossed her mind as she made for the door. But then, her oath as a doctor held her back. She couldn’t just walk away from someone in need. Not when she could help.
With a sigh, Galatea turned around. She found Alaric writhing in agony on the floor, his body contorted in pain.
“If you don’t want to die, then cooperate!” she snapped, her voice firm as she fell back on her medical authority. “Lie down flat.”
He looked up at her, eyes filled with obvious suffering. His body, too weak to protest further, obeyed. He collapsed into a prone position with a grimace.
Galatea didn’t waste any time. She knelt beside him, her hands moving swiftly as she began to assess his condition. The cause of his pain wasn’t immediately clear, but the symptoms seemed familiar—chronic, underlying issues. This wasn’t the first time he’d suffered like this, she suspected.
For nearly twenty minutes, Galatea remained by his side, providing what emergency care she could. Slowly, his breathing began to even out, and his pain appeared to subside, but she knew it wasn’t enough. This wasn’t something she could handle alone.
“I’m calling an ambulance now,” she said, her fingers already reaching for her phone. “You’ll be better once we’re at the hospital.”
But before she could make the call, Alaric’s hand shot out, seizing her wrist with surprising force.
“No!” he snapped, his grip like iron.
His refusal hung in the air, a stubborn, defiant presence that set her teeth on edge. “You need hospital care,” she repeated, more insistent now.
“If I say no, then it’s no!” Alaric’s voice was low, almost threatening.
Galatea bit back a sigh, frustrated by his obstinacy. This man is impossible, she thought. But despite her irritation, she held her ground.
“Fine,” she said, standing up and adjusting her clothes, trying to retain some of her professional composure. “It’s your life. I just played along with your little scene and incidentally saved your life. If you have any gratitude, you’ll let me get back to my job at Serenity Heights Medical Center.”
Alaric didn’t respond. He just lay there, his chest rising and falling with labored breaths, his gaze locked on the ceiling. Galatea could tell he hadn’t fully recovered, and without a response, she knew she couldn’t leave him just yet.
The room filled with an uncomfortable silence, one that stretched on as she debated her next move.
Meanwhile, outside, Harry was settling in. Cormac had lifted him into the car, and Orion had deliberately chosen the passenger seat, pointedly distancing herself from him.
Harry smirked inwardly, pleased that Orion had taken the seat farthest from him. Fine by me, he thought, content with the distance.
“Are you coming over tonight too?” Cormac asked Orion, breaking the silence.
At her short, annoyed reply, “At this hour, I’ve got nowhere else,” Cormac chose not to push her further. Instead, he silently drove them home.
Once they arrived, Cormac quickly took charge. “Orion, sleep in the guest room upstairs. I’ll stay with Caspian on the first floor,” he suggested.
But Orion wasn’t done. She spun around to Harry, a fierce accusation in her eyes. “I heard it clearly—there was a woman in his room. Did you have a hand in this?”
“Orion, give it a rest!” Cormac snapped, coming to Harry’s defense. “Caspian’s just a kid. He doesn’t know anything about that stuff.” He added, in a softer tone, “It’s late, head upstairs to bed.”
Orion shot Harry a venomous look before storming off upstairs. Harry, feeling a mixture of guilt and confusion, turned to Cormac. “Did I do something wrong, Cormac? Why does Mom hate me so much?”
Cormac placed a comforting hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Nothing’s wrong with you. It’s your mom who’s got a short fuse. It’s not your fault.”
Harry blinked, then offered a small smile. “I like you, Cormac. Can I sleep with you tonight?”
“Of course!” Cormac grinned, clearly delighted.
“Wow, you’re rich, just like my dad,” Harry said, his eyes wide as he took in the opulence of Cormac’s home. “Everything here is so fancy.”
Cormac chuckled. “You’ve really changed since your amnesia, huh?”
“Which me do you like more—before or after the amnesia?” Harry asked, his tone playful.
“Definitely this version of you,” Cormac said with a smile. “You’re more lively. The old you was… well, a bit too distant.”
Harry’s expression turned thoughtful. “Since I lost my memory, there’s a lot I can’t remember. Could you help me out with some things?”
“Of course. Ask away,” Cormac replied.
“Is Orion really my mom?” Harry’s voice was filled with uncertainty. “It doesn’t add up. And if she is, how could she despise me so much?”
Cormac hesitated before answering. “I can’t be completely sure, but it seems likely.”
“How can you not be sure?” Harry pressed. “They say a kid’s mom is a sure thing, even if the dad’s not clear. How can you not confirm it?”
“It’s… complicated,” Cormac admitted.
“Spill it. I can handle complicated,” Harry insisted.
After a pause, Cormac sighed and gave in. “Your dad was in the military. During one of his missions, he got badly injured and was in a coma for years. When I came back from overseas, your dad had woken up, and by then, you were already born. Everyone said that Orion had you through in vitro fertilization while your dad was unconscious. If your grandma and Orion say that’s what happened, I guess it must be true, right?”
Harry processed the information, his mind racing. “So, it wasn’t a normal pregnancy? That means there could have been something shady going on.”
“Have you ever had a DNA test?” Harry asked.
“Man, you think too much,” Cormac said, shrugging. “I don’t know if they ever did a DNA test, but look—your dad’s health was never great after the accident. He’s always had issues. If you weren’t his biological son, he wouldn’t have been so patient with you.”
“My dad’s health is that bad?” Harry asked, surprised.
“Yeah,” Cormac confirmed. “He was in a coma for three years. Even when he woke up, there were lingering effects. They don’t always show, but when they do, they can be life-threatening if not treated properly.”
Harry was shaken by the news. “I hope my dad never has to face that,” he said quietly.