Chapter 68
Alaric carefully placed Harold onto the bed, his expression unreadable as he observed his son. Harold, clearly uneasy under his gaze, avoided direct eye contact and shifted uncomfortably. “Dad, why did you suddenly ask me that?” he stammered, his voice tinged with guilt.
Alaric’s eyes softened with a faint, mischievous smile as he leaned against the doorframe. “I just want to understand why you like her so much. Tell me, what did you two talk about the first time you met?”
Harold’s mind raced, but he quickly masked his anxiety with a casual shrug. The conversation about Galatea brought up uncomfortable memories for Alaric, particularly the information Silas Moon had shared: Caspian had gone missing, and, in the confusion, Alaric hadn’t thought to question it at the time. The surveillance footage showing Galatea holding Caspian’s hand as they left the hospital haunted him. Her behavior had seemed so natural, so maternal. Could there have been a mistake? Was Caspian really her son?
Harold cleared his throat, distracting himself from the spiraling thoughts. “It’s been so long, how can I remember what we talked about…” he trailed off, feigning a yawn before continuing, “Dad, I’m really tired. I have school tomorrow, and if I don’t sleep now, I won’t be able to get up.”
Alaric gave him a long look but pressed on. “Just one last question. Caspian, have you ever met Galatea’s son?”
Harold froze, the question striking a nerve. Her son? That’s me!
He scrambled to cover up his surprise, replying with a hasty, “No!” before adding with exaggerated innocence, “Mom’s got a kid? That explains why she’s so nice to me. Maybe she’s just overflowing with maternal love, huh… heh heh.”
Alaric’s gaze softened as he nodded slowly. “Overflowing with maternal love… sure,” he murmured, his mind still working through the puzzle.
“Alright, Caspian. It’s time to sleep. Goodnight,” Alaric said, his voice gentler now. He turned to leave the room, though a sense of unease lingered between them.
As the door clicked shut, Harold’s anxiety grew. He wanted to reach out to Caspian, but with the late hour, he figured the boy was already asleep. I’ll deal with it tomorrow, he thought, feeling a mix of guilt and nervous anticipation. How could he keep up the ruse for so long? The idea of two children switching places felt increasingly absurd, yet they had managed to pull it off thus far. Still, the uncertainty weighed heavily on him.
The following morning, Galatea was up early, preparing breakfast for the kids. The previous day’s events still lingered in her mind, but she pushed them aside, focusing on making sure everything was ready. She was surprised to find Mia in the kitchen, clearly eager to help despite the lingering effects of her recent car accident.
“Mia, you shouldn’t be cooking,” Galatea insisted, her concern evident as she saw the older woman move around the kitchen.
Mia, ever the caretaker, shook her head. “It’s fine, I just won’t lift anything too heavy. Cooking’s no problem.” But she could see that Galatea was still worried. “No, you need to rest more. You’ve been through so much. If you push yourself, how am I supposed to face your parents if something goes wrong?”
At the mention of her parents, Galatea’s emotions swirled. She smiled faintly at Mia’s protective nature. “Mia, thank you. I really owe you so much after all these years.”
Mia’s face softened. “I’ve watched you grow up. You’re like my own daughter, Galatea. Don’t be so formal.”
“Still, you’ve done so much for me. I couldn’t have made it without you,” Galatea said with a sigh, her heart full of gratitude.
Mia’s expression darkened slightly. “And as for your dad…”
Galatea’s mood shifted as well. Her father had been accused of illegal operations, selling substandard goods, and even economic crimes, but Galatea couldn’t bring herself to believe it. “He’d never do something like that,” she said firmly. “I know him.”
Mia nodded. “I agree. But the world isn’t always fair, is it?” she muttered bitterly. “Good people don’t always get the rewards they deserve.”
Galatea’s expression hardened, but Mia quickly changed the subject, eager to lighten the mood. “But enough of that. Tell me, what’s for breakfast?”
Galatea smiled, grateful for Mia’s attempt at diversion. “Mia’s famous beef sandwiches. I’ve loved them since I was a kid.”
Elisa, who had been eavesdropping, poked her head into the kitchen, her eyes wide with curiosity. “What’s all this talk about scum?” she asked, always eager for a bit of gossip.
Galatea chuckled, gently tapping Elisa on the head. “This is grown-up talk, sweetie. You’re not supposed to be listening.”
Elisa pouted, her curiosity unsatisfied. “Okay, then what’s for breakfast?”
“Mia’s famous beef sandwiches,” Galatea repeated, her smile widening as she handed Elisa a plate.
Elisa cheered. “Yay! I love those!”
Just as Caspian came out of the bathroom, Elisa excitedly told him, “Harry, we’re having sandwiches for breakfast.”
“Alright,” Caspian replied distractedly, his mind already on other matters. He pulled Galatea gently by the arm, leading her out of the kitchen to the couch. “Mom, you need to rest. Don’t stand for too long.”
Galatea smiled at his concern, feeling a deep sense of contentment. “Got it,” she said, sitting down.
After a few moments, Caspian brought up the subject of school. “Oh right, Mom, I forgot to tell you. The school is organizing an event. They’re taking us to the countryside for two weeks to experience life there.”
Galatea’s eyes lit up at the idea. “That sounds wonderful. When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow,” Caspian replied with barely contained excitement.
“Tomorrow?” Galatea asked, surprised. “That’s soon.”
Caspian’s excitement only grew. He had planned this all along. With Harry’s reluctance to go on the trip, this was the perfect opportunity to stay in Harry’s place for a few days. “I’ll pack for you two,” he offered.
“No need,” Galatea said with a smile. “You two can pack yourselves. Just please, don’t do any work.”
Caspian insisted, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll take good care of Elisa while we’re out.”
Once the kids had packed, Mia drove them to the school bus the next morning. As they boarded, Caspian sent a quick message to Harry.
Caspian, you jerk! Harry texted back furiously. I told you I’d only switch with you for a few days. Now you’re taking my sister out for two weeks? That’s too much!
Harry’s frustration mounted. If he had known about the event the day before, he would have found a way to switch back. As it stood, Alaric was growing suspicious, and Harry still had to pretend to be Caspian for the next few weeks. It felt like the stakes were higher than ever, and the pressure was beginning to feel unbearable.