Chapter 270
The air in the room felt thick with unspoken tension as Cormac’s words hung heavily between them. He had spoken with raw emotion, but after he finished, a deathly silence descended. Alaric didn’t respond, his chest tight with a mixture of guilt and frustration.
Cormac, unable to contain his emotions any longer, walked to the window and stared outside, as though seeking solace in the view. His thoughts were a storm, and the only way he could calm himself was by being alone with them for a while.
“Just leave,” Cormac finally said, his voice quiet but resolute. “I told you, we’re not on the same path. Whether you considered me a friend before or not doesn’t matter to me. Now you’re a high and mighty CEO, and I’m just a laborer.”
He paused before continuing, his words sharp and bitter. “Even though you might think my current job is beneath me, I earn my money through my own labor. I don’t feel ashamed of it. I have hands and feet to support myself. I don’t need anyone’s pity. If you want to give me a stable life, then stop coming to see me. We’ve already gone our separate ways.”
Alaric’s heart ached as he listened, but he tried to respond, his voice gentle. “Cormac, that’s not what I meant. I don’t look down on your current job. It’s just that for you…”
Before he could finish, Cormac cut him off. Without acknowledging his words, he called out, “Aurora, take a break from your homework and come out to eat.”
Aurora emerged from the bedroom, sensing that Cormac didn’t want to continue the conversation with Alaric. She glanced at Alaric and spoke softly, “Please leave. We’re about to eat.”
The apartment was so small that when Cormac set the table, it filled almost the entire living room, forcing Alaric to step aside and retreat toward the door. Aurora, trying to lighten the mood, smiled at him and said, “Uncle, the food you bought is really lovely. Next time, I’ll learn to cook it for you.”
“Sure,” Cormac replied, his tone softening slightly. Then, as he busied himself with the meal, he asked, “How was your swimming lesson today?”
“Not bad. The coach said I have good aptitude,” Aurora replied, her face lighting up.
“Really? That’s good,” Cormac said with a smile, his usual warmth returning.
For a few moments, they shared a light conversation, laughing and chatting as though nothing was amiss. Alaric stood at the door, his heart sinking as he watched them—so normal, so unaffected by the weight of everything that had transpired between him and Cormac.
It felt as though he didn’t exist in that space anymore.
“Sorry to bother you,” Alaric said, his voice strained with emotion. He turned to leave, his steps slow and heavy. “I’ll go now.”
With that, Alaric stepped out, gently closing the door behind him. Once outside, a wave of dizziness overcame him. He leaned against the wall to steady himself, his chest tight, the weight of the conversation and the situation bearing down on him. After a moment, he cleared his head and descended the stairs, his body still shaky.
Inside the apartment, the mood shifted. The moment Alaric left, Cormac lost his appetite, his fork hovering near his plate as he stared at the food in front of him.
“Aurora, was that person your friend?” she asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity.
“Used to be, but not anymore,” Cormac replied firmly, his voice carrying the finality of someone who had made peace with the end of something important.
Aurora didn’t fully understand, but she could feel the weight of his words. She nodded quietly, not daring to press for more.
“Let’s continue eating,” Cormac said, trying to push the conversation aside. Aurora nodded, and they resumed their meal, but the air between them was now a little thicker, more somber.
Back in his car, Alaric struggled to gather himself. The dizziness persisted, and he quickly opened the glove compartment to grab his medication—only to find it empty. Panic flared inside him as he gripped the steering wheel, resting his forehead against it as he tried to steady his breathing.
After a moment, he managed to calm himself enough to start the car. The road blurred in front of him, his thoughts scattered. He could barely focus, his head pounding as the weight of his visit to Cormac settled in.
Meanwhile, Stellan and Rowena were worried throughout their meal. Stellan, her nerves on edge, hurried to finish and then turned to Rowena. “Let me take you back,” she said, her voice betraying her concern.
“Okay,” Rowena agreed, sensing Stellan’s unease.
Stellan’s sense of dread grew as they drove. She had a feeling something was wrong, perhaps due to their marital bond—or maybe it was just a mother’s intuition. When she dropped Rowena off at the hotel, she immediately called Alaric.
“Hello?” Stellan’s voice sounded strained.
Hearing the faint, off tone in his voice, Stellan’s heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong, Alaric? Are you feeling unwell?”
“A bit,” Alaric admitted, not hiding his condition.
“Where are you now?” Stellan asked, her panic rising. She remembered the last time Alaric had had an episode—his heart had stopped. She couldn’t bear to think of something like that happening again, especially with no one around.
“Don’t worry, I’m almost home,” Alaric reassured her, though the weakness in his voice made it clear he wasn’t alright.
“I’ll be right there,” Stellan said, her voice tight with fear. She immediately turned her car around and sped home.
By the time Stellan arrived at the villa, Alaric’s car had just pulled into the driveway. Stellan slammed on the brakes and leaped from her car, rushing to open the door of his vehicle.
“Alaric, are you okay?” she asked, her worry evident in her voice.
Alaric just shook his head weakly, unable to respond. Stellan helped him out of the car, and Caspian, Harry, and Elisa rushed over, their expressions filled with concern.
“Is Dad unwell again?” Caspian asked, his voice trembling with worry.
“I’m fine,” Alaric said softly, gently pushing Caspian’s hand away. “Go about your business. Your mom’s here, that’s enough.”
“How can we leave now?” Harry asked, his face filled with anxiety. “We’ll stay nearby and won’t cause any trouble.”
“You’re helping by not being here,” Stellan said, her voice firm but soft. “Alright, go do your homework.”
Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Caspian stopped him with a look. “Forget it. Let Dad rest. I trust Mom can handle it.”
“Alright then,” Harry agreed reluctantly.
As Stellan helped Alaric to the bedroom, Elisa’s eyes were wide with fear. “What’s wrong with Dad?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Elisa had always been unaware of Alaric’s health issues, but now, seeing the state he was in and hearing her brothers talk, she knew it was serious.
“Don’t worry, Elisa. Dad will be fine soon,” Caspian said, trying to comfort her as best he could.
“Is Dad sick? Is it serious?” Elisa asked, her voice breaking with fear.
“Mom is a great doctor. She can cure any illness,” Harry reassured her, trying to keep his composure.
“Then it must be serious!” Elisa cried, tears welling up in her eyes. “I love Dad. I don’t want him to die. I don’t want to lose him.”
Caspian immediately stepped in, gently kicking Harry aside. “Is this how you comfort Elisa? Go away!”
Harry glared at Caspian, but the words were already out, and he knew this wasn’t the time for arguments. He held back, his own anxiety simmering beneath the surface.
“It’s not serious, Elisa. Don’t worry,” Caspian said, kissing her cheek to comfort her. “Alright, Elisa, don’t cry. If you cry, Dad will feel worse.”
“Okay,” Elisa sniffled, nodding but still holding back tears.
Once Alaric was safely settled in his bedroom, Stellan quickly retrieved his medication and gave it to him.
“How do you feel? Any better?” Stellan asked, her voice trembling with concern.
“Better,” Alaric replied, his voice weak but steady.
“Do you feel like you did before the last episode?” Stellan asked, her fear deepening. “If you do, we should go to the hospital just to be safe.” The last time, Alaric’s heart had stopped. This time could be even worse.
Though Stellan was an accomplished doctor, she couldn’t risk Alaric’s life. She needed him to be okay.