Chapter 142: A Heartfelt Confession
Galatea’s heart raced, her body entirely at Alaric’s mercy. She couldn’t move even if she wanted to, trapped by his hold. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of surprise and frustration. “Let me go quickly, and I’ll get you some medicine so you can recover faster.”
Alaric chuckled softly, his breath warm against her ear. “I’m lying,” he confessed with a smirk. “I’ve already taken it.”
Galatea almost lost her patience. His casual demeanor was driving her insane. How could he be so relaxed in this situation?
“Galatea, are you angry?” Alaric’s voice was so close, the words carrying an almost teasing undertone. The close proximity, combined with his calm, yet dominating presence, only made his words more ambiguous.
“Not at all,” Galatea replied, trying to maintain composure. “You have work tomorrow. You should get some rest.”
Alaric’s eyes glinted mischievously. “It’s still early,” he said. “I want to talk to you.”
Galatea sighed, exasperated but unwilling to fight him on this. “Sure, Alaric. Whatever you want to say, I’m listening.”
Leaning back against the doorframe, Alaric crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on her. “In a romantic relationship, are you always so accommodating? Are you from a wealthy family? Why do you always yield to others, Galatea?”
Galatea wasn’t prepared for this sudden shift in conversation. She tilted her head, pondering his words. “I find men are really strange,” she began, her tone slightly mocking. “You want a gentle, virtuous woman, but you don’t like her to lack personality or independence. You want her to have a career and take care of the family at the same time. A woman who is gentle and accommodating is not enough. Being willful and temperamental is also not allowed. You men are really hard to please!”
Alaric listened intently, a smile forming on his lips. As she finished speaking, the smile softened, replaced by a look of deep affection.
“Galatea,” Alaric said, his voice quiet now, “I don’t understand your past, but I know it’s full of scars. I want to uncover your past—I want to know everything about you—but I can’t bring myself to do it. Not yet.”
Galatea’s chest tightened at his words. She hadn’t expected such an admission. She didn’t know what to say, so she just stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.
“My past is full of wounds too,” he went on, his tone vulnerable. “I try to conceal them, keep them hidden from everyone. But now, I want to show you everything. I want to become someone you can trust, someone important to you. I know I have a bad temper, and I’m used to giving orders, even in a relationship. It pleases me, but I know it can hurt you.”
Alaric’s words were heartfelt, and Galatea felt the sincerity in every one of them. He paused, as if gathering the courage to continue. “I’ve been reflecting on this in recent days. It doesn’t matter what I do with others, but when it comes to those I care about, I need to be more considerate. Galatea, I don’t want you to sacrifice yourself for me. If you’re angry with me, I want you to be able to show it.”
His voice grew more intense, his emotions clear. “I may still struggle with my temper. I may still make you angry. But I swear to you, I will protect you with my life. I will always be loyal to you in marriage. Please, believe me.”
Galatea was taken aback, her heart pounding in her chest. She blushed, embarrassed by the raw honesty of his words. “Have you been drinking?” she asked, trying to diffuse the tension with a laugh.
Alaric was momentarily stunned. He had just poured his heart out, and her response was to ask if he had been drinking? “I’m perfectly sober, and I know exactly what I’m saying,” he replied, his tone more serious now.
He moved closer, and before she could react, he gently but assertively placed her on the bed. “Galatea, entrust your future to me,” he said, his voice firm.
Galatea didn’t know how to respond. The mix of his gentle demeanor and commanding presence left her feeling paralyzed. She didn’t know how to act, her mind spinning.
As she lay there, lost in thought, Alaric kissed her softly, his lips brushing against hers. The touch was gentle at first, but it grew more insistent. Galatea’s heart raced, and the world seemed to melt away. She could feel the warmth of his body, the steadiness of his heartbeat against her chest. It was intoxicating, and she felt herself getting lost in the sensation.
A tingling sensation spread across her skin, as if every nerve in her body was on fire. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. Alaric’s touch was both gentle and forceful, as though he was trying to claim her, and yet, there was something tender in it. Galatea felt as if she were floating, torn between wanting to resist and wanting to surrender.
She felt as if she were sinking into the depths of the ocean, struggling to find a foothold. She wanted to resist, but at the same time, she felt an undeniable pull to continue. She wanted to push him away, but her body betrayed her, craving more of his touch.
Eventually, Alaric pulled away, his lips leaving hers with a soft sigh. Galatea’s face was flushed, her heart racing in her chest. She opened her eyes and met his gaze, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
Alaric’s hand slowly began to move downward, and Galatea’s body stiffened in response. She couldn’t help but feel nervous, her mind racing with thoughts of what he might do next.
“What are you going to do?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“Be my true woman,” Alaric said, his words clear and deliberate.
Galatea’s hands gripped the bed sheets tightly, her body tense with anxiety. She couldn’t speak, feeling a wave of fear wash over her. She had no idea what to do.
Alaric noticed her discomfort and smiled softly, his gaze tender. “Your reaction makes me want you even more,” he said, his voice teasing, though there was a hint of understanding in it as well.
Galatea still couldn’t speak. Her body felt like it was made of stone, frozen in place.
“It’s not coercion,” Alaric said gently, his voice low. “You always have the right to say no in front of me. If you refuse, I’ll go to sleep right now.”
The choice was hers. Alaric was shameless, leaving it entirely up to her. What was she supposed to do?
Galatea’s breathing became erratic, and she stared at him, but the words refused to leave her lips.
Alaric, misinterpreting her silence, stood up, thinking she had rejected him. “Then I’ll go to sleep,” he said, preparing to leave.
But in that moment, Galatea’s instincts took over. She reached out, grabbing his arm, her eyes wide with silent plea. Her lips were tightly pressed together, as if holding back the words she couldn’t quite say.
Alaric smiled knowingly, seeing the innocence in her expression, despite the weight of the situation. “You agreed, so don’t blame me.”
With that, Alaric didn’t hold back. What followed felt like a dream to Galatea, an experience she had never encountered before. Afterward, she was left breathless, drenched in sweat, her mind reeling.
But then a sudden thought hit her, and she looked at Alaric, her face filled with nervousness. “I won’t get pregnant, right?”
Alaric couldn’t help but tease her, sensing her anxiety. “If you do, then it’s perfect. We can have a child of our own.”
Galatea’s eyes widened in panic. “No, I don’t want to!” The thought of having a child filled her with intense fear, her reaction unmistakably strong.
Alaric, seeing her distress, quickly sat up and pulled her into his arms, his voice softening. “What’s wrong?”
“Do you want a child of our own?” Galatea asked hesitantly, her voice trembling. “If you marry me, will you insist on having another child with me?”
The idea of going through childbirth again terrified her. She couldn’t bear the thought of enduring that pain and fear again. The experience of giving birth to Harry and Elisa had nearly cost her her life, and the trauma still haunted her.
Alaric looked at her, confused. “Galatea, what’s wrong?”
“I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Galatea’s fear was real, and Alaric could see the deep emotional scars she carried. The pain of childbirth had left a permanent mark on her, and the thought of going through it again was something she couldn’t bear.