Chapter 56
Her past? Her experiences?
Having been Galatea for six years, it’s likely that no one even remembers Stellan anymore.
“You honestly know how to rub salt in old wounds, don’t you?” Galatea forced a bitter smile. Her past was something she preferred to keep buried, but Alaric seemed relentless, pushing her to confront it.
“It might be cruel,” Alaric said earnestly. “But if you can’t face the pain, you’ll never reconcile with it. Your silence isn’t resolution, it’s avoidance. Only by truly moving past the pain can you keep moving forward.”
“It sounds reasonable,” Galatea muttered, her gaze drifting to the distant horizon.
“So, care to share?” Alaric asked, his eyes searching hers. “Start with the reason you chose to become a doctor. I’ve seen your resume. For someone your age, your medical skills are impressive.”
His words were laced with sincerity, and Galatea found herself surprised by the compliment.
“It’s rare to hear a compliment from you, Mr. Knight,” she replied with a touch of dry humor. Then, her expression grew serious as she continued. “I wanted to study medicine because of my mom. I only have faint memories of her, just that she was always sick and taking lots of medications.”
“Then the memories stop,” she continued. “She was never home, and my dad would lie, telling me she was away on business. As I got older, he finally admitted she had passed away from her illness.”
“When I was little, I couldn’t understand. I told my dad to just take her to the doctor. They could cure her, and then she wouldn’t have to die. He told me that some illnesses even doctors can’t cure—that was the kind my mom had.”
“I thought then, when I grow up, I’ll become a doctor who can cure any illness. But once I started medical school, I learned that no one is omnipotent. Not even doctors.”
Alaric sat quietly for a moment, his face softening as he listened. After a pause, he asked cautiously, “What about your dad? Did he also pass from illness?”
The mention of her father made Galatea’s heart tighten. She looked away, her eyes clouding with emotion.
“He committed suicide,” she said slowly. “Jumped from a building.”
Alaric’s breath caught in his throat. Suicide was the last thing he’d expected to hear. He’d assumed her father had died from illness or an accident, but this revelation cut deeper than any physical wound.
Even after so many years, speaking those words still pained Galatea. She exhaled deeply, then let out a mirthless laugh. “I still can’t wrap my head around why my dad chose that path. Maybe, like some say, I’m cursed—bringing calamity to those around me.”
Alaric didn’t find the humor in her dark words. The pain in her voice was impossible to ignore. Her father’s death, her only family, was a wound that no time could heal.
He wanted to ask about her husband, but the heartache that lingered in her expression stopped him. He opted for a gentler approach instead.
“It’s all in the past,” Alaric said softly. “They say after hardship comes joy. Things are going to get better for you.”
The kindness in his voice was unexpected, and for a moment, Galatea felt something stir inside her. It was the kindest thing he’d ever said to her. She glanced at him, her voice cool but sincere. “Thanks.”
Another question weighed on Alaric’s mind. “One thing I don’t get, though—why did you give up a prominent position at the American Medical Research Institute? You could’ve made enough to buy a big house in cash after a few years. Instead, you come back home to work as a local doctor, cramming into a tiny apartment with others?”
Galatea stiffened slightly. She couldn’t very well tell him it was to search for her son.
“Alaric,” she said, her tone teasing. “Are we chatting here or are you running a background check on me? Worried I’m some sort of a charity case staying close? Relax, I’ve got medical ethics. I’ll give my all to treat you.”
Alaric was speechless for a moment, taken aback by her directness.
“How about you, Mr. Knight?” Galatea shifted the conversation. “As the heir to the Knight family fortune—what made you enlist?”
“Wanted to, so I did. No big reason.” Alaric shrugged, his expression unreadable.
“That’s evasive,” Galatea muttered under her breath, narrowing her eyes. “You said you’ve never been in a relationship. Is that truly the case?”
“Absolutely,” Alaric answered without hesitation. “Grew up in the military with no women around. Returned to run the family business after my injury and just got wrapped up in work.”
So it’s true. Alaric has never been in love. Galatea found herself thinking, not quite sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed by the idea.
“So that means, not only did you never date Orion, but you also never loved her?”
“Right.”
“Then why on earth did you let her have your child?”
Alaric fell silent, his expression clouding.
“That seems rather low,” Galatea pressed on, her voice sharp. “I mean, I’m no fan of Orion Nash myself, but just sticking to the facts, it’s pretty low for someone to have a kid without love. Shouldn’t you have kept your distance instead of leading her on with talks of marriage? Are all guys like this, using women as playthings?”
At that moment, Galatea couldn’t help but think of Ambrose Vale and blurted out a curse under her breath.
“That’s not how it is!” Alaric defended quickly, his voice rising in irritation.
“Oh really? Last time I checked, she couldn’t have that kid all by herself,” Galatea shot back, her tone sarcastic.
Seeing Alaric at a loss for words, a secret he clearly couldn’t share, Galatea couldn’t resist teasing him. “Could it be that you don’t even like women? That you faked a marriage with Orion to sire an heir for the Knight family? Maybe to cover up your personal preferences, am I right?”
“Galatea!” Alaric snapped, his voice sharp.
His anger hit her like a slap, wiping the smirk off her face. She quickly raised her hands in apology. “I was just kidding, just a joke.”
“Galatea, I don’t appreciate those kinds of jokes!” Alaric’s voice was stern, his eyes fixed on her with a mixture of anger and confusion.
Galatea immediately felt flustered. She regretted her words, wishing she could take them back. The mood between them shifted, and the rare moment where she’d felt at ease enough to joke had been ruined by her thoughtlessness.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice small, guilt sinking in.
Alaric’s gaze softened as he saw the immediate fright in her eyes. His anger faded, replaced with a tinge of regret. He had not meant to upset her like this.
Before he could speak, a nurse’s voice broke through the tension. “Patient in bed 3, Galatea, time to head back to your room for your injection!”
Galatea gave a small sigh of relief, happy for the distraction. As she prepared to leave, the brief moment of vulnerability between her and Alaric hung in the air—unspoken but understood.