Mommy，We Got a Husband
Chapter 39 Did You Two Have a Date or Something?

Galatea's cheeks flushed with Cormac's misunderstanding, and she hurriedly reminded Alaric, "You better clear things up with your friend, so he doesn't get the wrong idea." "Don't worry about him," Alaric said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"All right, if you're ready, let's begin," said Galatea, reaching for an acupuncture needle.

When Galatea looked at him, what struck her most visually wasn't the washboard abs on his chest but the glaring scar near his heart - a startling mark.

"Is that the scar you got during that mission?" she asked, her voice tinged with horror. The scar itself was frightening. She could only imagine the pain he went through getting it.

"I have plenty of other scars. Do you want to see them?" Alaric teased, noting the intrigued look in Galatea's eyes. He began to unbuckle his belt nonchalantly.

Galatea hastily reached out to stop him, irritation clear in her voice. "What are you doing? Who said I wanted to see them?"

'Shameless!'

"You want a helping hand, but you don't have the guts," Alaric scoffed with scorn, straightening his belt. "If you had just admitted from the start that you wanted to get close to my son to get ahead, maybe I would have married you to get rid of Orion-instead of this fake relationship."

His insinuation was pointed, taunting her for her tactical error - they were entangled in a faux romance, not entwined in a false marriage. 'Did she now wish otherwise?'

Lately, Galatea Hartley's fortunes had seemingly plummeted. A cascade of setbacks plagued her, ranging from medical mishaps to relentless online harassment. The drama involving the Nash family felt endless. To top it off, even Mrs. Marigold's portrait had mysteriously disappeared.

Despite her somber mood, Alaric's latest witty remark elicited a genuine laugh from her - a sincere, spontaneous chuckle.

"Alaric, I really owe you one," Galatea thanked him earnestly. "I've encountered countless patients throughout my years as a doctor, but your 'condition' is the only one that could bring me such joy." 'What did she mean by that?'

Alaric eyed her coldly.

"If you're worried about trust issues, we could always draw up a contract," she suggested with an air of nonchalance. "The contract would clarify that we're just pretending to be a couple, with a firm resolution not to marry. "As soon as Orion loses interest in you for good, we'll terminate the arrangement. And if either of us breaches the agreement, they'll owe the other a cool million. What do you say?"

Alaric's features twisted into an even deeper frown. Her unwavering determination was one aspect while her bold audacity stood as another defining trait.

"Are you going to do my physical therapy or not?" demanded Alaric, his tone commanding. "My time is precious. You couldn't afford to waste a minute of it!"

"Yes, Mr. Knight!" Galatea responded and proceeded to start the session. Despite their grievances, Galatea was meticulous and cautious in her work as a therapist.

But as soon as the therapy started, her phone rang-it was Elisa. Not wanting to delay the session, Galatea answered and put the call on speaker mode. "Mom, aren't you off work? Why aren't you home yet?"

Galatea was providing therapy to Alaric outside her normal working hours.

"I'm on a house call. You guys go ahead and eat. Don't wait for me."

"On a house call?" Elisa's skepticism was palpable. "You're already off work. What kind of house call could it be? You're not on a date, are you? Is Mr. Knight right there with you?" "Elisa's got it all figured out," Alaric chimed in before Galatea could get a word in, much to her chagrin.

Elisa sighed with exasperation, "Mom, Harry, and I are okay with you, remarrying. There's no need to lie about going on a date."

"I'm not lying."

"Mr. Knight, you better take good care of my mom. And if you guys are busy tonight, there's no need to send her back home," Elisa said.

'What is she implying?'

"Elisa Storm!" Elisa hung up, leaving Galatea seething with frustration.

"Why did you have to say anything?" Galatea scolded Alaric.

"Elisa asked if I was there, so I answered. What's the problem? Isn't that the case?"

Galatea fell silent.

"Your daughter seems to like me a lot," Alaric mused. "She's met me twice, and both times she's been pushing for me to marry you. And now, her intentions couldn't be more obvious." Galatea could detect a note of smugness in his voice.

"I'll have a serious talk with her when I get home," Galatea promised angrily.

Truth be told, she couldn't figure out what Elisa saw in Alaric. Back in America, no shortage of suitors had pursued her, yet Elisa had not developed a liking for any of them.

"Elisa says she's an orphan. I find that odd. Your husband passed away under normal circumstances. Why have you never mentioned a word about him to your child?" he asked out of curiosity. Galatea paused at the question, her sewing needle stilled in mid-air, but it wasn't long before she resumed her rapid stitching.

"Alaric," she retorted sharply, "you said it yourself. We are merely pretending to be a couple. I'm under no obligation to disclose my personal affairs to you."

Alaric, noting Galatea's reaction, was almost certain she was lying.

"I'm not just your faux fiancé now. I'm also your boss. You don't need to share your secrets with me, but if you've fabricated your past or your resume to deceive me, I will take that very seriously." 'Personal history? Resume?'

'The information Alaric has is indeed fabricated, but that's beside the point.'

'She planned to take the children back to America as soon as she found the missing child.'

"Alaric," Galatea replied, her tone turning shamelessly threatening, "Did you forget that I have something on you as well? As your private physician, I know your health better than anyone. A little something in your medication, and you could suffer a prolonged demise."

"You wouldn't dare!" he responded furiously.

Galatea was tempted to spike his medicine there and then, seeing Alaric's persistently arrogant tone. But for the sake of medical ethics, she restrained herself.

In silence, Galatea proceeded with his therapy by demonstrating unwavering diligence. When she finally stood up, she walked around him, examining him as if she was admiring her handiwork.

After her scrutiny, a chuckle escaped her. The formidable Mr. Knight was strangely subdued.

"Just imagine if I uploaded a photo of you like this to the internet. What do you think would happen?" she teased, pretending to pull out her smartphone to take a picture.

Alaric reflexively reached to snatch the phone. "Galatea!"

Instinctively, she dodged his attempt to grab her, throwing off his balance in the process.

As he almost knocked the ice pack on his chest onto the table, Galatea quickly stepped forward, arms outstretched to steady him against her.

The force of his body against hers caused her to crash harshly against the edge of the table.