Chapter 6 Taking the Initiative to Meet Alaric
Cormac was floored. “What did you just say?”
Alaric gave a bitter smile. “I know it sounds nuts, but there’s no way around it. Caspian’s obsessed with Galatea.”
Cormac was quiet for a long time before he finally spoke. “Alaric, don’t forget everything Orion’s done for you! Throughout these three years, she has remained steadfastly by your side, enduring considerable hardship in her efforts to bear your child. Have you forgotten all that?”
Alaric’s face darkened; he hadn’t forgotten.
He knew how much Orion had sacrificed, and he wanted to repay her.
But he just couldn’t love her.
And Caspian’s severe psychological issues made it impossible for him to accept Orion as his mother.
Cormac sighed and patted Alaric’s shoulder. “Alaric, think it over. Don’t wrong Orion, but don’t make yourself uncomfortable either.”
With that, he left.
In the car.
Orion clutched the seatbelt tightly, her face pale, her heart racing.
“Cormac, do you think Alaric will…?” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
Cormac glanced at her in the rearview mirror, his tone flat. “Will what? Find out Caspian isn’t your biological son?”
Orion shuddered and shook her head frantically. “No, no! Caspian is my child; he is!”
Cormac sneered.“Really? Then why are you shaking?”
“I…” Tears streamed down Orion’s face.“I just don’t want to lose Alaric; I don’t want to lose everything I have now.”
“Enough!” Cormac slammed on the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road.“Orion, how long are you going to keep lying to yourself? You know better than anyone whose child Caspian really is!”
Orion trembled all over, covering her face, crying her heart out. “Cormac, please, stop.”
Cormac looked at her, disappointment in his eyes.
“Orion, come stay at my place for a few days. Don’t go back for now.”
Orion looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting his. “Why?”
“What are you going to tell Mom and Dad?” Cormac countered.
Orion’s face turned as white as a sheet.
She knew that if her parents found out Caspian wasn’t her son, she’d be finished.
“I don’t know.”She shook her head helplessly.
Cormac sighed and started the car again.
“Let’s go. Then we'll have a talk at my place.”
The car drove off, disappearing into the night.
Orion leaned against the window, watching the scenery blur past, feeling utterly hopeless.How much longer could she keep this secret?
As night fell, the warm yellow lights of Galatea’s apartment glowed.
The dinner table was filled with the delicious aroma of the meal Mia had carefully prepared. Galatea, Harry, and Elisa sat around the table, the atmosphere cozy.
“Mom, did you meet any handsome, rich, single doctors at the hospital today?” Elisa asked, her big eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Harry joined in, leaning forward. “Yeah, Mom, you’ve been single for so long! How about finding us a stepdad?”
Galatea nearly choked on her food. These kids were too much!
She put down her utensils and put on a stern face. “You two don’t need to worry about that! The mere pleasure of your company fulfills me completely. I don’t need a husband.”
“But, Mom…” Elisa tried to argue.
Galatea cut her off. “Enough, eat your dinner! By the way, Harry, Elisa, I’ve decided to enroll you in some extra classes.”
“Extra classes?!”Harry and Elisa said in unison, their faces falling in protest.
“Mom, we’re already super smart. We don’t need extra classes,”Harry said. He was a little genius in cryptography and micro-expressions. Regular classes were too easy for him.
Elisa quickly added,“Yeah, Mom, I’ve got a photographic memory and killer negotiation skills! I’ve already aced what they teach in those classes.”
Galatea looked at her two overly confident children, feeling a headache coming on.
She knew they were smart, but she still wanted them to learn proper social skills systematically.
“You two…”
Galatea was about to speak when Elisa suddenly asked, “Mom, is it because you don’t want to find us a dad?”
Galatea was taken aback, not expecting her daughter to be so direct.
She was silent for a moment, her tone somber.“You don’t have a dad.”
“How can we not have a dad?” Elisa tilted her head, puzzled.
Harry chimed in, jokingly.“I know! We must be creations of nature, embodiments of natural forces!”
Mia couldn’t help but laugh.
Galatea laughed too, ruffling Harry’s hair. “What’s going on in your mind?"
Dinner ended with laughter and joy.
Back in her study, Galatea’s smile faded, her brow furrowed.
Being fired from Serenity Heights Medical Center meant she lost her easy access to Alaric and Caspian.
She had to confirm if Caspian was her stolen son, and she couldn’t wait any longer.
She opened her laptop and started searching for information on the Knight family and Alaric.
The screen’s light reflected on her face, her eyes determined.
Meanwhile, at the Knight Mansion, Caspian tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
His brow furrowed; he murmured softly, “Mommy, Mommy.”
Alaric sat by the bed, his heart aching at his son’s distress.
He gently stroked Caspian’s forehead, trying to soothe him.
Since their last conflict, Caspian’s attitude towards him had softened, but the rift between them was still evident.
Alaric knew that truly reaching his son’s heart would be a long journey.
He stayed by his son’s bedside all night, not closing his eyes.
The next morning, Galatea made up her mind.
She must take the initiative to seek out Alaric; she couldn't wait any longer.
“Mom, where are you going?” Harry noticed something was off.
Galatea smiled and said casually, “I’m going to the hospital to pick up a report.”
“Okay.”Harry found it a bit strange but didn’t press further.
Galatea drove off, heading straight for the Knight Mansion.
She didn’t know that Harry was secretly following her.
The Knight Mansion was located in a luxurious suburban area, serene and heavily guarded.
Galatea’s car was stopped at the gate.
“Hello, who are you here to see?” the security guard asked.
“I’m here to see Alaric Knight. I’m Galatea Hartley,” Galatea replied.
After verifying her identity, the guard let her in.
Galatea’s car slowly drove into the estate, stopping in front of an impressive mansion.
She got out and rang the doorbell.
A middle-aged housekeeper opened the door, giving Galatea a once-over. “Are you Ms. Hartley?”
“Yes,” Galatea nodded.
The housekeeper led Galatea into the living room, asking her to wait.
The living room was luxuriously decorated, exuding understated elegance.
Galatea felt a bit nervous, unsure of how Alaric would react.
Footsteps approached, and Galatea looked up, only to be stunned by what she saw.
Alaric was wearing casual clothes, holding a spatula, with an apron tied around his waist, looking every bit the domestic husband!