Chapter 49
By the afternoon, the medicated IV drip had brought relief to Galatea, easing the discomfort that had plagued her since she woke up. Though she was still confined to the bed, unable to do much, she closed her eyes and rested, waiting for the next wave of visitors. She had hoped it would be Alaric, but when she heard footsteps outside her room, she opened her eyes and was dismayed to see the Nash couple entering instead. They were the last people she wanted to see.
“Just lay still, honey. Don’t try to move,” Mrs. Ravenna said hurriedly, placing some fruit on the bedside table. “I just heard about the accident. How did it happen? Are you hurt badly?”
“I’ll be okay,” Galatea responded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just need some time to recover.”
“That’s a relief. You had us worried sick,” Mrs. Ravenna said, her tone softening. “If you need anything during your hospital stay, just let me know.”
“Thank you,” Galatea murmured, trying to muster the energy for a polite response.
No sooner had she spoken than Mrs. Ravenna’s cell phone rang. She glanced at the screen before quickly excusing herself. “Excuse me, I need to take this call outside.”
With that, Mrs. Ravenna left the room, leaving Galatea alone with Griffon. The atmosphere immediately shifted. Griffon didn’t bother with pleasantries, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something—or someone.
“Where’s Alaric?” Griffon asked, his brow furrowed. “He should be here with you during your hospital stay.”
“He had to step out for a bit,” Galatea replied, her tone flat. She knew Griffon’s visit wasn’t out of genuine concern, but more out of obligation.
“Thanks for your concern. I appreciate you taking the time to visit despite your busy schedule,” she added, though her words held little energy.
Griffon’s lips curled into a slight frown. “You’re Alaric’s fiancée. It’s only right I come,” he remarked curtly, his eyes scanning her condition with a shake of his head. “Looks like a bad one. How did this accident happen? You need to be more careful.”
The way he said that last sentence sent a chill through Galatea. There was an underlying malice, a sense of judgment she couldn’t ignore.
“Has Alaric been around during your hospital stay?” Griffon asked, a smirk tugging at his lips as he leaned in, seemingly enjoying the discomfort he was causing her. “I’ve known the kid since he was a boy. He was always independent-minded. Ideally, he would’ve just followed the plan, studied hard, and taken over the family business. But no—he had to join the military.”
Griffon paused, the sneer in his voice growing more evident. “How old was he then? An officer took a liking to him, and off he went to the service without a second thought. You could say he practically grew up in the army, studying while enduring daily training, but he persisted. Then, when his father passed away when Alaric was a teen, he had two choices—return home for the funeral or embark on his first mission. He chose the latter. No hesitation.”
Griffon’s voice grew bitter as he continued, “After his father’s death, the responsibility for the family business fell squarely on his mother’s shoulders. She begged him to return and help manage the company, but he refused, leaving her to handle everything, and pushing her to become a titan in the business world.”
A dark look crossed Griffon’s face as he shifted his gaze from Galatea to the floor. “Then there was Orion, who adored him from childhood. When he enlisted, she waited for him faithfully. When he got injured, she stayed by his side, ignoring the advances of many men, living solely in the hope of becoming his wife for over two decades.”
“But Alaric seemed utterly unmoved,” Griffon continued, his words dripping with disdain. “I often wondered—how could someone so focused on his ambitions ever fall in love with any woman?”
He paused, and Galatea felt a sudden sense of dread creeping over her.
“I was proven wrong,” Griffon said with a sarcastic smile. “Not only did he fall in love, but he became incredibly caring—like a completely different person. Galatea, I truly admire you. How did you manage to win him over?”
Every word Griffon spoke was laced with venom, and it made Galatea’s skin crawl. She could feel the hatred in his voice, and the more he spoke, the more her revulsion grew.
“I don’t know,” she replied quietly, her voice shaking with a mix of confusion and unease.
Alaric is in love with her? Impossible, Galatea thought. He just plainly despises her.
“Galatea, it’s your skill that made him fall for you, and I wish you the best,” Griffon said, his voice cold and mocking. “But remember, a conquest built on lies won’t last.”
With that, Griffon lightly tapped the back of her hand, where the IV needle was inserted. Galatea instinctively pulled away, the pain from the slight contact making her flinch.
“Follow the doctor’s orders and get well soon,” Griffon added condescendingly as he stood up, looking down at her with a sneer. “I’ll come to see you again in a few days.”
As he left, the air felt thick with oppression. The tension was unbearable, and Galatea felt as though a weight had settled over her chest.
Meanwhile, outside, Mrs. Ravenna stepped into the yard to answer Cormac’s call.
“Hey, Cormac.”
“Mom, are you free? Come out to dinner with me tonight, and bring Caspian too. It’s not often you all get to meet, and it could be a good chance to bond,” Cormac suggested, his voice casual.
“It’s the weekend, and Harry’s been nagging me to take him out,” Cormac continued, sounding more hopeful. “I thought this could be a good chance for everyone to catch up.”
“Not today. I’m at the hospital right now. You go out with Caspian,” Mrs. Ravenna replied, trying to keep things simple.
“At the hospital?” Cormac’s concern was evident. “What happened? Are you feeling all right?”
“No, it’s Galatea,” Mrs. Ravenna said. “She was in a car accident. Your father insisted we come to see her.”
“To see Galatea?” Cormac sounded puzzled. “Why would you go if she’s been in an accident? Besides, given her condition, it’s probably not the best time for visitors.”
Just then, Cormac heard a loud crash, and he quickly turned to see Harry’s toys scattered across the floor.
“All right, got to go now, Mom,” Cormac said, trying to wrap up the conversation. He had been careful to keep Harry in the dark, but the slip-up had already happened.
“What did you just say?” Harry’s voice rang out, filled with shock. “You said Mom got into a car accident?”
“When did I say she was in an accident?” Cormac immediately tried to cover up. “You must have misunderstood.”
“I didn’t misunderstand! You just said she was in an accident!” Harry’s voice trembled with urgency. “Which hospital? Take me there, quick!”
Seeing that there was no way to hide the truth any longer, Cormac had no choice but to take Harry to the hospital.
By the time Alaric had returned to the hospital, the room was adorned with fruit and flowers. He entered and asked the nurse, “Who’s been here?”
“It seems like someone from the Nash family,” the nurse replied. “I heard Miss Galatea mention a Griffon and Ravenna.”
Alaric nodded, his expression darkening. “The Nash family visited?”
“Yes,” the nurse confirmed.
Galatea shivered, remembering Griffon’s words and the cold look he’d given her.
Meanwhile, Cormac and Harry, having faced nightmare traffic and a lack of parking, finally made their way to Galatea’s floor. Harry, unable to wait a moment longer, dashed to her door, ready to burst in. But then he stopped, hearing voices from inside the room—Alaric and Galatea talking. He froze, standing still at the door, listening intently.