Chapter 4
Alaric followed her instructions without a word, his movements calculated and deliberate. As he removed his shirt, Galatea tried to maintain her professional composure, despite the tension in the air. She could feel his sharp, assessing gaze as he lay on the bed, ready for the check-up.
“Mr. Knight, I’ll begin with a quick heart examination,” Galatea said, her voice steady, though her heart raced slightly under the intensity of his presence.
Alaric remained silent, his eyes observing her every move with a calculating look, as if waiting for her to make the next move. Galatea quickly placed the stethoscope to his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. It was easy to forget, with all the power and influence he exuded, that he was just a man like any other, with his own vulnerabilities.
As she moved through the routine tests, Galatea couldn’t shake the feeling that Alaric was watching her more closely than necessary. She focused on her work, but every now and then, his eyes would lock with hers, sending a ripple of unease through her.
“All good so far, Mr. Knight,” she said, finishing the check-up. “But I recommend a follow-up scan, just to be sure.”
Alaric sat up and began putting on his shirt again, his gaze never leaving her. “You seem to be thorough,” he said, his tone bordering on a compliment, though there was a cold edge to his voice. “I’ll take your advice, Dr. Galatea. But tell me—how is it that you’ve been involved with my son without my knowledge?”
Galatea’s heart skipped a beat. She had expected this question to come up sooner or later, but the intensity of his inquiry caught her off guard.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Mr. Knight,” she replied, maintaining her calm demeanor. “Caspian is a patient here, and I was simply looking after him during his visit.”
Alaric’s gaze hardened. “I don’t believe in coincidences, Dr. Galatea. I’ve seen how my son responded to you. There’s more to this than just a doctor’s visit. You will explain everything to me.”
The tension in the room was palpable, and Galatea couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person Alaric Knight truly was. He was powerful, intimidating, and yet there was an underlying current of something more—something dangerous, perhaps, but also strangely compelling.
“I am just here to do my job, Mr. Knight,” Galatea said firmly, “But I can assure you, my only interest is in providing the best care for your son.”
Alaric studied her for a long moment, as if weighing her words carefully. Then, with a sharp nod, he stood and straightened his suit jacket.
“We’ll see about that,” he said coldly before turning to leave the room, his presence leaving a lingering sense of unease behind.
Galatea exhaled slowly once the door closed behind him, her mind racing. She knew she had just stepped into a much more complicated situation than she had anticipated. And something told her that her connection to Caspian—and to Alaric—was far from over.