Chapter 10
Even after hopping into the taxi with Galatea, Caspian couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at him. He kept glancing back, his nerves not yet settled.
“Mom,” he called out, his voice a little shaky. “You love me, right? No matter what happens, you won’t abandon me, will you?”
Galatea let out a gentle laugh, her tone soothing. “Why the sudden doubt? I’m your mom. Even if the sky fell, I’d never leave you.”
Caspian felt a wave of emotion flood over him, his eyes brimming with tears. Orion had never said anything like that to him. “Thanks, Mom!” he said, his voice tight with gratitude.
Galatea chuckled and gave the top of his head a playful tap, her affection clear.
As they stepped out of the car and into the apartment building, Caspian held tightly to his mother’s hand. He had always led a sheltered life—his world confined to a strict routine of school and home, with little room for anything else. The modest apartment felt foreign to him. Was this where his mom lived? Was she living in poverty?
Once inside, Caspian took in his surroundings. The apartment was smaller than he had expected, but the thought of living with the mother he held dear in his heart made any place feel like home.
“Mia, give me a hand. I’m going to grill some barbecue for Harry and Elisa,” Galatea called out, changing into more comfortable clothes.
“Awesome!” Elisa burst from her room at the mention of food. “Mom’s cooking! I can’t wait!”
Caspian watched Elisa with interest. Was this Harry’s little sister? She seemed so lucky, and she was incredibly cute too.
Galatea and Mia retreated to the kitchen to prepare the meal, leaving Elisa to sidle up to Caspian with curiosity in her eyes.
“Did Mom scold you?” Elisa asked, her voice low and teasing.
Caspian didn’t quite grasp the question but shook his head anyway. “No, Mom’s really kind.”
“Really? She didn’t discipline you?” Elisa sounded genuinely surprised. “You’ve sneaked out twice already, and Mom didn’t even scold you? Has she gotten that mellow?”
The question caught Caspian off guard, his unease deepening. It wasn’t just some delusion—his mother truly had a son who looked exactly like him. But if her real son returned, his charade would be exposed. What would happen then?
“You tracked Mom down in your pajamas?” Elisa asked, touching the soft fabric of his nightwear. “I’ve never seen these before. They’re so soft. Did you buy them without telling me? Where did you get the money?”
Caspian, still grappling with the barrage of questions, blinked in confusion. He didn’t understand the fuss. “Do you really need to save this little amount?” he asked, pointing to a pile of coins Elisa had poured from her piggy bank.
Elisa looked at him with wide eyes. “Harry, I’m already over four hundred dollars in the hole, and you’re calling this chump change?” she exclaimed. “You said that fancy restaurants in Arizona charge $320 per person. This money could have covered a lavish meal for both of us!”
Caspian had a hard time understanding the concept of money. His allowances were always generous sums—six figures—and the money was just numbers on a card to him. Cash was something he couldn’t relate to.
Elisa huffed in frustration. “And you bought yourself fancy pajamas without even getting me any?”
“You like these pajamas?” Caspian asked, genuinely curious.
“Yes, they’re so soft.”
“Then I’ll buy you some,” Caspian promised, his tone earnest. He had no idea where the money would come from, but he knew his father had set up a bank account for him. He could easily transfer the money when it was safe. “How many do you want?”
“Just one will do.”
“All right. Anything else you need? I’ll get it for you,” he added.
Elisa was silent for a moment, then studied him closely, her eyes wide with shock. “Harry, you seem like an entirely different person all of a sudden?”
The question made Caspian’s heart race. Did she notice? He quickly reassured her, “No, you’re my sister. Of course, I want to spoil you.”
Elisa seemed to consider this for a moment, unsure, but just as she was about to ask another question, Galatea called from the kitchen.
“Dinner’s ready!”
Caspian let out a quiet breath of relief and hurried out of the room. They sat down together at the table, ready to eat.
“It’s my first time making this—let me know what you think,” Galatea said with a bright smile, eager for their opinions.
“It’s delicious!” Caspian said after taking a bite, surprised by how much better it tasted than the barbecues he had back home.
“So good!” Elisa nodded enthusiastically. “Mom, you’re amazing—a one-in-a-million lady, truly a rare find!”
Caspian smiled as he watched Elisa’s joyful reaction. The atmosphere was so comfortable, so different from the strict and silent dinners at his own home. Here, there was warmth and laughter.
Galatea beamed with pride, her heart swelling at seeing her children so content. But despite her happiness, a shadow of worry lingered in her eyes. She still couldn’t get back into Serenity Heights Medical Center, and finding her son seemed to only be possible through Mrs. Marigold. But how could she approach her?
Meanwhile, in another part of the mansion, Harry was flipping through an old photo album with Alaric. He paused when he came across a picture of an elderly woman.
“Is this my grandmother?” Harry asked, pointing to Mrs. Marigold’s photograph.
“Yes,” Alaric answered, his voice distant as he stared at the photo.
Harry looked at the image, his heart skipping a beat. He had gone through the photos multiple times, but even now, the resemblance between himself and the young boy in the pictures was startling. No wonder Alaric had been confused—he was just as shocked himself. Wasn’t that his own photo?
“So, I have a grandmother, a dad, and a mom?” Harry asked, his voice filled with wonder.
“Yes,” Alaric confirmed, still visibly shaken by the discovery.
Harry fell silent for a moment, pondering. How is this different from the novels? This guy, Caspian, looks so much like me. He probably thought I was his long-lost brother. And he has his own real parents?
After a pause, Harry asked seriously, “Do you have a wife?”