Chapter 15 The Unexpected Distress Call
Alaric immediately panicked, crouching down and pressing the back of his hand to Harry's forehead. "Where does it hurt? Do you need a doctor?"
"No, I don't need a doctor." Harry shook his head and whispered, "I just want Daddy to stay with me."
His large, tear-glistened eyes brimmed with profound dependence and ardent expectation.Alaric's heart melted instantly. "Okay, I'll stay with you."
He scooped Harry up and soothed him gently, "I won't go to the office today. I'll stay home with you, alright?"
"Alright!" Harry beamed, hugging Alaric's neck tightly and nuzzling his little head against his shoulder.
Alaric settled onto the sofa with Harry nestled in his embrace. Having concluded the tale for Harry, he then accompanied him in constructing building blocks, his thoughts entirely absorbed by his son.
Consequently, he remained utterly oblivious to the momentary glint of cunning that flickered through Harry's eyes.
"Daddy, I don't seem to be as scared of people as I used to be."
Harry said suddenly while playing with his toys, his tone filled with curiosity and a hint of delight.
Alaric froze for a moment, then became visibly excited, as if struck by something. "Really? Caspian, are you feeling better?"
He stared at Harry's little face, afraid to miss any subtle changes.
Harry nodded earnestly and said with his sweet childlike voice, "Yes, it feels like I'm not as scared of being close to others."
"That's wonderful!" Alaric hugged Harry tightly, his voice trembling slightly. "Caspian, are you finally getting better?"
His voice carried a barely noticeable choke, and his eyes were slightly red.
For so many years, he had lived in deep guilt and self-blame, always feeling that Caspian's condition might never improve.
But now, his son's few words were like a ray of light, suddenly illuminating his dark world.
"Daddy, can we move out for a few days?" Harry seized the moment to make his request.
"Move out?" Alaric was puzzled. "Why do you suddenly want to move out?"
"I don't want to see Orion." Harry lowered his head, his voice muffled. "She's not my mommy."
Alaric fell silent.
He knew Harry was telling the truth. He and Orion were only married in name, with no real feelings between them.
"Alright, we'll move out." Alaric agreed to Harry's request almost without hesitation. "Where do you want to stay?"
"Let's go to a hotel!" Harry blurted out, his eyes sparkling. "Silver Star Lodge!"
"Silver Star Lodge?" Alaric raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Why did the little guy suddenly want to stay at a hotel?
"Yes!" Harry nodded vigorously, as if afraid Alaric wouldn't agree. "Silver Star Lodge, please, Daddy?"
"Alright, whatever you want."
Alaric chuckled at his son's pleading tone, affectionately pinching his little cheek, completely missing the fleeting look of triumph in Harry's eyes.
Meanwhile, Galatea was outside endeavoring to secure employment; she anticipated commencing work at Serenity Heights Medical Center.
"Hello, who is this?" Galatea answered her phone politely.
"Dr. Hartley, it's Caspian Knight." A young voice came from the other end.
Galatea was taken aback. Caspian? Why would he suddenly call her?
"Caspian, what's going on?" Galatea softened her voice, concerned.
"Dr. Hartley, my daddy is sick. Can you come and see him?" Caspian's voice sounded weak and a bit pitiful.
"Your daddy is sick?" Galatea was surprised. "What's wrong with him? Where does he feel unwell?"
"I don't know," Caspian's voice was tearful. "He keeps saying his head hurts, and he threw up. He looks really bad."
"Alright, don't worry, I'll be right there." Galatea became anxious upon hearing that.
"Okay, we're in room 8808 at Silver Star Lodge. Please hurry."
She hung up, grabbed her bag, and hurried out of the office.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of Alaric's symptoms, his pale face lingering in her mind, her heart pounding.
A call for help must mean a serious condition, right?
"Driver, please go faster!" She urged the driver again, wishing she could fly over and be by Alaric's side immediately.
Finally, the car stopped at the entrance of Silver Star Lodge.
Galatea quickly paid, not bothering with the change, and rushed into the hotel lobby.
She followed the room number Harry had given her, running to the door of the presidential suite.
Standing at the door, Galatea took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and steady her breathing.
She raised her hand and knocked gently.
"Come in."
A voice came from inside, sounding weak and listless.
Galatea pushed the door open. The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn tightly, letting in no light.
There was a faint smell of disinfectant in the air, though she couldn't tell if it was real or just her hallucination.
She scanned the room but didn't see Alaric. There was only a small figure standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, back turned to her.
"Caspian?" Galatea called softly, testing the waters.
The small figure slowly turned around, revealing Harry using Caspian's identity.
Harry's eyes seemed to brighten when he saw Galatea, but then they dimmed again. He lowered his head and said softly, "Dr. Hartley, you're here."
"Yes, I'm here." Galatea walked over to Harry, gently stroking his little head. "Where's your daddy? Where does he feel unwell?"
"Daddy's in the shower." Harry pointed towards the bathroom, his voice almost inaudible.
Galatea was puzzled. Wasn't Alaric supposed to have a headache and be vomiting? How did he have the energy to shower?
"Dr. Hartley, can you wait until Daddy finishes his shower to treat him?" Harry looked up, his eyes filled with an indescribable emotion.
Galatea's heart softened at the sight of Harry's eyes. How could she refuse?
"Alright, I'll wait." She nodded and spoke softly.
Just then, Harry suddenly turned and ran out of the room, so fast that Galatea didn't have time to react.
A mechanical sound echoed, and the door was locked.
At that very moment, Harry abruptly turned around and dashed out of the room with such velocity that Galatea had no time to process what had transpired.