Chapter 106
“I came here for Galatea,” Cormac said, his tone somewhat sheepish. “Isn’t she doing chemotherapy for my mom right now? I wanted her to check on her again, but I couldn’t ask directly. Since today’s the day she’s supposed to treat you, I thought I could use that as an excuse to run into her. Then, she’d ask about my mom, and I could casually mention it.”
Alaric froze, his brows knitting in confusion. “Wait, Galatea’s doing chemotherapy for your mom?”
Cormac seemed surprised by Alaric’s reaction. “What? Didn’t she tell you?”
She never mentioned a word about it!
Alaric was already seething, the thought of Galatea potentially jeopardizing her health for someone else pushing his anger higher. “Cormac, I’ve already told you before: she’s still in her recovery period. She can’t exert herself. I’ve already declined her request. How dare you go behind my back and find her?”
Cormac didn’t back down, though. “Don’t blame me. I didn’t go looking for Galatea behind your back. Griffon went to her, and she agreed.”
This revelation stoked a deeper fire within Alaric. He believed that Griffon’s influence had pressured Galatea, and what frustrated him most was that she hadn’t even mentioned it to him. How could she not tell me something this important?
“I know you’re concerned about your mom’s illness, but there are so many other good doctors out there. Why cling to her? She’s been in the hospital herself for a short time, and now she’s your mother’s therapist too?” Alaric lashed out, his tone scolding.
At this, Cormac’s expression faltered, guilt flashing in his eyes. “I know you care about her, Alaric, but I swear, I only asked Galatea to come for one round of chemotherapy.”
“If it affects her health, I won’t forgive you!” Alaric barked.
Cormac didn’t know how to respond, so he fell silent.
“She didn’t come here today. Don’t bother me about this anymore. Get out!” Alaric said with evident disgust in his voice.
“What? She didn’t come?” Cormac’s surprise deepened. How could Galatea not show up when it was time to treat him?
“Did you two… fight?” Cormac ventured, trying to make sense of the situation.
“None of your business. I told you to leave!” Alaric snapped, frustration boiling over.
Cormac, unperturbed, smiled knowingly. “Well, that must be it. I’m no therapist, but you’ve got no friends except me. So if you’re not going to talk, I can help you figure this out. I’ve got some relationship wisdom up my sleeve.”
Alaric’s face darkened further as Cormac obliviously carried on. “What’s the reason for the fight? Want me to analyze it? I’m the one with experience in love, after all.”
Alaric gritted his teeth but remained silent, his anger still simmering.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m just trying to help you. If you don’t want to talk, then fine,” Cormac said, unfazed, before turning to leave.
But Alaric’s frustration had reached its peak. He barked, “Come back here!”
A reluctant sigh escaped Cormac’s lips. “Fine, fine. Let’s get this over with.” He sat down, ready to offer his ‘expert’ advice.
Alaric hesitated for a moment before explaining everything—the call with Galatea, the situation with her ex-boyfriend Ambrose, the jealousy, the lies, the confusion. He spilled it all out, desperate for some guidance.
Cormac listened intently, though his expression quickly shifted from curiosity to disbelief.
“Alaric,” Cormac finally said, his voice incredulous, “You’re so good in business, but when it comes to relationships, you’re a complete idiot. Why did you send your wife to face her ex-boyfriend? What were you thinking?”
“Cormac, watch your words!” Alaric snapped, his patience growing thin.
“I’m just saying. What kind of job did you do? She wasn’t angry because of Ambrose; she was pissed because you deceived her. She came to see you, hoping for some honesty, but instead, she ended up feeling betrayed.”
Alaric’s face flushed. “But she lied to me too! She never told me about her past relationships!”
“Alaric, seriously? She’s your fiancée now! Why are you so obsessed with her past relationships? Especially the ones she doesn’t want to mention? She’s resistant, and frankly, you should be happy she hasn’t exploded on you yet. It’s not about her ex, it’s about you not respecting her boundaries.”
“But lying is still wrong!” Alaric protested.
“Galatea doesn’t want to talk about it. It’s you who keeps pushing her!” Cormac said, exasperated. “Think about it. When Ambrose showed up, what did Galatea do? She resisted, right?”
“Of course,” Alaric muttered.
“Exactly. She doesn’t want to see Ambrose. But because he’s now part of your business dealings, she has to face him. It was originally good for you both, but you’ve ruined it.”
“I…”
“Isn’t that right?” Cormac continued, unrelenting. “You need to apologize to her. Girls are soft-hearted. Trust me, she’ll forgive you if you show genuine remorse.”
“Apologize?” Alaric blinked.
“Yes!” Cormac almost shouted. “You annoyed her, and now you want me to apologize? Come on, dude.”
Alaric’s fists clenched. “If I don’t apologize?”
“Well, Ambrose is back, and I’m sure he’s ready to rekindle some old flames. Meanwhile, you and Galatea will keep playing this silent treatment game.”
Alaric’s face twisted with rage. “How dare Ambrose make a move on Galatea! If he dares, I’ll teach him a lesson.”
Cormac shrugged, indifferent. “Well, are you going to marry her, or let her go back to her ex? That’s your choice.”
With that, Cormac left, leaving Alaric to stew in his thoughts. The turbulence in his mind didn’t subside as Cormac’s words echoed in his ears. What if Galatea really did go back to Ambrose?
His next move was inevitable. He grabbed his phone and dialed Galatea’s number, his mind still in a whirlwind.
On the other end, Galatea had just walked away from a meeting with her designer, discussing the redesign of her clinic’s layout. As soon as she answered, she heard Alaric’s angry voice on the other side.
“Galatea, do you know what day it is today?”
Galatea’s blood ran cold, frustration building up. “I know,” she replied tersely.
“Then why aren’t you coming? Do you remember what I told you? You have to come to my office every Wednesday—” Alaric’s voice grew even more demanding, but before he could finish, Galatea had had enough.
Without a second thought, she hung up the phone, her hand shaking with anger. Who does he think he is? A babysitter?
Alaric’s temper flared as the call ended abruptly. “Damn it! How dare you hang up on me!”
He immediately redialed, hoping for an answer, but the voice on the other end wasn’t Galatea’s. Instead, the automated message greeted him: “Sorry, the number you dialed is powered off.”
Alaric stood there, fuming with rage, his heart pounding. What had he done? And where was Galatea?