Chapter 41
“It’s noble of you to be so considerate,” Alaric replied, taking a slow sip from his coffee mug.
“How could I not think about it? You’ve already had a brush with death. As your brother, it’s my responsibility to worry,” Cormac said, a frown furrowing his forehead.
“They’re the ones who caused your injuries and your discharge from active duty. You harbor resentment, and they feel the same way. After that last showdown, their leader disappeared, leaving you with a looming threat, like a ticking time bomb,” Cormac added, his voice tense.
“I’m aware,” Alaric responded simply, his expression hardening.
“Then why be so obvious about it? You could’ve kept a low profile after transitioning from the military to business. But no… you’ve practically become a household name. It’s like you’re taunting them,” Cormac pointed out, his concern growing.
Alaric couldn’t help but smile faintly at his brother’s gripes. Despite the frustration in Cormac’s words, Alaric could sense the care behind them.
“Don’t worry. The person who can kill me hasn’t been born yet,” Alaric replied, his tone unwavering. He took another sip of his coffee, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Actually, I’m kind of looking forward to them showing up. As a soldier, leaving a mission unfinished is the one regret I can’t shake off. That missing leader? I plan to handle him myself.”
“All right, maybe I’m just being paranoid,” Cormac sighed, his doubt lingering. “It’s been nearly a decade. For all we know, those people might be long gone. Let’s not worry about them. But tell me this, Alaric—do you really like Galatea?”
“No comment,” Alaric replied quickly, his eyes flicking to his brother, clearly uncomfortable with the question.
“I’m a doctor, and I’ve known you since we were kids. You chose her to be your private physician. That says a lot. I feel bad for my sister, though,” Cormac continued, crossing his arms. “Galatea has two kids to look after. What makes her better than my sister?”
“She’s prettier than your sister,” Alaric said casually, without missing a beat.
Cormac was incredulous. “Is that it? You chose her just because she’s pretty?”
“My sister has always been loyal to you, never married, and comes from a similar background. But Galatea… she’s still prettier,” Alaric replied with a smirk.
“My sister is a famous actress adored by thousands, and she’s just a humble doctor,” Cormac pointed out, shaking his head in disbelief.
“She’s prettier than your sister,” Alaric repeated, his voice deadpan.
Unable to hold back, Cormac muttered under his breath, “And here I thought someone like you, well-traveled and experienced, would have more refined taste. Turns out you’re just shallow.”
Alaric chuckled. “Indeed, Galatea is beautiful—undeniably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. But it’s not just her beauty. She has qualities that are… subtle, yet endearing.”
By the time Galatea left Alaric’s office, the evening had fallen. She made her way to the phone repair shop to get her shattered screen fixed. While she waited, she decided to visit a portrait artist.
Just as before, she described Mrs. Marigold to the artist, who began sketching based on her description.
Once finished, Galatea frowned. “That doesn’t look like her at all.”
The artist shrugged. “I’ve drawn it based on your description. This is what I got.”
Frustration bubbled within her. No matter how she looked at it, it just didn’t feel right. It was a regret she couldn’t shake—that she hadn’t taken a photograph when she had the chance. She sighed, paid for the work, and left the portrait behind. It was of no use to her now.
After leaving the artist’s studio, the stalker made a deliberate phone call.
“Griffon, everything has been executed as you instructed.”
Once off the call, Griffon smirked as he looked at a photograph in his hands. Though the image was blurry, it clearly showed Galatea pressed against Alaric’s chest in an intimate embrace. His eyes narrowed in anger, and without a second thought, he set the photo on fire with a lighter, watching as it burned and crumbled into ash.
Galatea sought out several other artists that evening, but each result was the same—unsatisfactory. The last artist she visited was too far to reach on short notice, located near Aminta’s place.
When her phone was finally fixed, Galatea headed home. It was late, and Mia, Harry, and Elisa had already gone to sleep.
Restless and unable to sleep herself, Galatea lay in bed idly scrolling through her phone. A news headline caught her attention: “Nexus Innovations is poised to make a splash. Alaric is set to invest a fortune in creating the nation’s premier entertainment hub, which will become a new landmark upon its completion!”
An entertainment hub? she mused. That man truly knows how to stay in the spotlight.
Just then, her bedroom door creaked open. Galatea looked up and quickly sat up. “Harry, why are you up so late?”
“I woke up and went to the bathroom,” Caspian replied, walking over and sitting beside her on the bed. “Mom, Elisa told me you had a date with Alaric tonight. Is that true?”
“No,” Galatea clarified, her voice gentle but firm. “I’m his personal physician. I’m treating his insomnia. It’s not what you’re thinking.”
Caspian’s face fell, clearly disappointed. Seeing his expression, Galatea gave him a bitter smile. “Do you really want me to get married?”
“I just think it would be good for you to marry Alaric,” Caspian blurted out, then quickly corrected himself, “I mean, with his background as a former soldier and CEO, he seems like a good match.”
Galatea chuckled softly, amused by the influence Alaric had on the kids. She never imagined they’d be championing his cause.
“Kids shouldn’t worry about adult matters,” Galatea said, scooping Caspian up and carrying him back to his room. “Marriage without love is a tragedy. When love is right, marriage will come naturally.”
After tucking him into bed, Galatea turned to leave, but Caspian stopped her with an anxious question. “So, is there a chance for you and him? Even just a little?”
Galatea hesitated, thinking about it. Is there a chance with him? she wondered. To be honest, not at all. We’re worlds apart in every sense.
Before she could answer, Caspian jumped in with a grin. “No answer means there’s still a chance. I’ll keep an eye out for the wedding bells, Mom. Goodnight.”
With that, he didn’t give her a chance to speak, and she quietly left his room, her mind swirling with questions and thoughts about her relationship with Alaric.
A month passed, and Galatea kept to her schedule, never missing a single one of her twice-weekly visits to provide Alaric with physical therapy. Not once did she arrive late.
“How’s it been after a month of treatment?” she asked, her voice filled with confidence. “Any significant improvement in your insomnia?”
“Honestly, it’s been quite good,” Alaric admitted. “I’m falling asleep much faster these days.”
“Of course it is,” Galatea said with a touch of pride. “I’ve spent a lot of time perfecting this treatment plan. It had to work.”
“Did you devise it specifically for Ambrose Vale?” Alaric asked suddenly, his tone more serious.
The question hung in the air, and Galatea’s expression shifted instantly, her confidence faltering.