Chapter 57
“I’ll wheel you back inside,” Alaric offered, rising to his feet. He gently guided her wheelchair back toward the hospital wing. The nurse had already prepared her medication and was waiting in the room. Once inside, Alaric carefully lifted Galatea from the chair and placed her onto the bed, making sure she was snug under the covers.
“Galatea,” the nurse remarked with a hint of envy, “your husband is something special, truly. I’ve seen plenty of spouses come in to take care, but Mr. Knight’s attentiveness and patience are rare. You’re lucky to have him.”
The room suddenly filled with a palpable awkwardness. Galatea could only offer an embarrassed smile, unsure of how to respond. Alaric’s usual short temper was nowhere in sight. His meticulous devotion in the hospital was an unexpected contrast to his typical demeanor, a gesture that seemed meaningful despite his usual coldness.
After the nurse left, following Galatea’s injection, the silence in the room grew heavy. Galatea looked down, avoiding Alaric’s gaze. She wasn’t sure how to bridge the gap between them.
Finally, Alaric broke the silence. “I was out of line earlier in the yard. I came on too strong. I apologize.”
Galatea nibbled her lip, her embarrassment evident. “It’s okay,” she said, her voice quieter than usual. “I should have kept my comments to myself. I tend to speak without thinking. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
Alaric paused, choosing his words carefully. “The thing with Orion, our child, it’s not the traditional way you might be thinking of.”
Galatea raised an eyebrow. “Wait—are you trying to explain how you and Orion had a child?”
A small laugh escaped her, unable to suppress it. “Why are you telling me this? What does your child’s origins have to do with me?”
She found Alaric’s current demeanor rather amusing. The man who always radiated authority and control was now hesitating and, of all things, showing a hint of embarrassment. Galatea didn’t understand why he felt the need to explain it to her. After all, the circumstances of his relationship with Orion were personal, weren’t they? Wasn’t it awkward for him too?
But just as she finished her thought, Alaric’s face darkened. “I have to step out. If you need to change dressings or anything, just call the nurse.”
With that, he turned and strode out of the room briskly, leaving Galatea to mutter under her breath, “Absolutely baffling!”
Alaric, though having said he needed some air, couldn’t quite bring himself to leave the hospital grounds. He found a spot in the courtyard to sit, trying to clear his mind.
“Dad!” Alaric heard his son’s voice before seeing him. He looked up to find Caspian approaching, with Cormac trailing behind him.
Over the last few days, Caspian had grown increasingly restless, eager to visit the hospital and check on Galatea. When he found his father sitting outside, he couldn’t help but approach.
“Why are you guys here?” Alaric asked.
“Ask your dear son,” Cormac replied dryly. “He’s been on my case ten times a day about his mom’s condition. He couldn’t sit still anymore, so we came to check on her.” He paused and asked, “Why aren’t you in the room with her?”
Alaric avoided the question, not wanting to admit that it was to ease the awkwardness between them. “Just needed some fresh air.”
“Well, Dad, you get your air. I’ll go up and check on Mom,” Caspian said quickly, giving his father a stern look. “You’re not to enter the room before I come out.”
Alaric raised an eyebrow, amused. “What, got secrets you don’t want me to hear?”
“That’s right,” Caspian confirmed, walking away. He turned back for a final warning. “Remember, don’t go in before I get back.”
“Got it,” Alaric responded, shaking his head with a smile.
Caspian, initially planning to just sneak a peek at Galatea, was now granted an opportunity to enter her room. He figured it was the only way to see her.
Meanwhile, Galatea was feeling bored, tethered to an IV and reading a medical textbook. When the door opened, she assumed it was Alaric returning, but to her surprise, it was Harry—Caspian, still pretending to be Harry.
“Harry?” she asked, her voice soft.
“Mom!” Caspian’s voice cracked as he rushed toward her. It was the first time he had seen her since the car accident.
Though Galatea’s condition had improved, she was still confined to the hospital bed. The sight of her son stirred something deep within her, a complex mixture of love and guilt.
“Did I not tell you not to come see me before I was discharged? Why don’t you ever listen?” Galatea chided softly, though there was no real anger behind her words. Her concern for him was evident.
“Mom, how are you feeling now? Is it still painful anywhere?” Caspian asked, his voice full of worry.
“The pain’s gone now, sweetie. You don’t have to worry,” Galatea reassured him. Then, her expression turned more serious. “Mia and Elisa don’t know about my accident, do they?”
“No,” Caspian replied with a tinge of guilt.
“That’s good,” Galatea said quietly, relieved.
“Mom,” Caspian ventured, trying to shift the topic, “has Alaric been the one looking after you this whole time while you’ve been in the hospital?”
“Yes,” Galatea answered, offering a soft smile.
“Mom, even though the car accident wasn’t entirely his fault, and he’s been here taking care of you… doesn’t that mean he’s a good guy?” Caspian asked hesitantly.
Galatea chuckled, the sound warm and full of affection. “Are you trying to get me to marry him again?”
“Yeah,” Caspian confessed, his voice earnest. “I love you, Mom, and I want a dad too. I hope you two can be together. But, of course, you’ve got to get better first.”
“Mom, can I touch you gently now?” Caspian asked, his voice filled with care.
“Of course, my dear.”
Caspian carefully climbed into the hospital bed, lying beside her and gently wrapping his small arms around her. “Mom, I love being in your arms like this. It feels so safe. I’m really scared of losing you.”
“Silly boy,” Galatea said, her voice tender as she held him close. “I’m your mom, and I’ll always be there for you. How could you ever lose me?”
If he truly was Harry, he wouldn’t have such worries. However, he is Caspian.
Though he had been masquerading as Harry for some time, Galatea was still unaware of the existence of a child named Caspian. It didn’t matter though—his dad had already promised to make Galatea his bride, ensuring Caspian would never lose her.
Meanwhile, outside the hospital room, Cormac glanced upstairs and turned to Alaric with a question. “When’s the wedding going to be?”
“You didn’t hesitate to postpone the bid opening by over a month just to care for her,” Cormac said with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve got to say, that genuinely moves me.”
“That’s none of your business. Keep your nose out of it!” Alaric snapped.
“Fine, let’s talk about something that is my business,” Cormac challenged. “While you were laying low in the hospital, those contractors desperate for the bid are panicking. Gavin from Far East International can’t reach you, so he’s come to me, asking to get a word in with you, hoping for a chance to meet.”