Chapter 86
“What’s wrong, Mommy? You’re sweating a lot,” Caspian’s concerned voice cut through the haze of confusion Galatea was still drowning in. His voice was urgent as he rushed into the room, his eyes wide with worry. Seeing her drenched in sweat, with panic flashing across her face, he asked anxiously, “What happened?”
Galatea, disoriented and unsure of reality, blinked at the two children before her. The question echoed in her mind: Was she still dreaming? Had she really woken from that terrifying nightmare?
In a moment of frustration and confusion, Galatea slapped herself across the face. The sharp sting of pain jolted her, confirming that this was no dream.
Her children stared at her in horror, and Elisa’s voice trembled. “Mommy, why are you hitting yourself? Are you possessed?”
“Elisa, quickly call 911! Mommy might be sick!” Caspian’s voice rose with panic.
“Okay, I’m calling the ambulance right away,” Elisa said, already reaching for her phone.
“No, no,” Galatea hastily interrupted, holding up her hands. “I’m fine. Please don’t call anyone. I just… I had a nightmare.”
Caspian’s brows furrowed in concern, still not completely reassured. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m really okay,” Galatea said, her confusion only deepening. “But wait—weren’t you two supposed to be in the countryside? How come you’re back so soon?”
She had expected them to be gone for at least another week. The abruptness of their return felt like a strange twist in the situation.
Caspian shrugged, looking unbothered. “Oh, we came back early because of a rainstorm and landslides. The school thought it was unsafe to stay, so they brought us home. We were supposed to return in the afternoon, but traffic delayed us.”
Elisa piped up, her voice tinged with disbelief. “We were going to surprise you and Mia with our early return. But when we got here and found the apartment empty, we got the shock of our lives! You guys moved?”
Galatea’s face flushed with guilt. “It was sudden. I planned to tell you when you were on your way back.”
Elisa’s wide eyes sparkled with curiosity. “It was a shock, but finding out we moved to such a huge house was a nice surprise! It’s so much bigger here! I’ve never lived in such a grand place before! Mommy, did you strike it rich?”
Galatea’s stomach turned at the question, the weight of her choices pressing on her chest.
Before she could answer, Mia stepped into the room, her voice cutting through the awkward moment. “This house belongs to Mr. Knight. He said it’s close to his company.”
Elisa’s eyes widened even further, her voice full of wonder. “Mr. Knight bought this house for you? Is it a love token?”
Galatea opened her mouth to answer, but Elisa’s innocent words made her freeze. “What? A love token?”
“You little brat, stop talking nonsense about love tokens,” Galatea muttered, her face turning red.
“But getting a house like this? Isn’t that pretty much the same as an engagement?” Elisa asked, her confusion clear. “People usually get married when they have a house like this lined up, don’t they?”
Galatea felt a mix of disbelief and amusement at how naïve Elisa was. “A house isn’t a guarantee of anything,” Galatea said softly, before her daughter’s next words left her speechless.
“Mommy, are you really going to marry him?” Caspian’s voice was so filled with excitement that he was practically bouncing on his toes. “When’s it happening?”
The question caught Galatea completely off guard. She was so bewildered by the turn of events that she didn’t know how to answer. “It’s not what you think, it’s…” she trailed off, unable to find the right words.
Before she could finish, Elisa’s attention was caught by something sparkling on the table. “Wow! A beautiful gift box!”
Galatea froze as Elisa eagerly opened it and pulled out the watch.
“Such a gorgeous watch, and it looks expensive. Is it Mr. Knight’s birthday gift to you?” Elisa asked, clearly impressed.
Galatea sighed deeply, wishing she could escape this moment.
With a sharp eye, Elisa noticed something engraved on the back of the watch. “Galatea Hartley?” Her eyes widened even more. “And it’s custom-made! Wow, these rich people really know how to give gifts. I bought you a necklace, but now I’m almost embarrassed to give it to you!”
“Does it really have Mommy’s name on it?” Caspian asked, grabbing the watch from Elisa to inspect it. His face lit up as he looked at Galatea. “This is his gift to you, right?”
Galatea could only manage a reluctant nod. “Yes.”
Elisa grinned mischievously. “A house, a gift like this… It’s hard not to see it as a sign, don’t you think? You guys should really get married!”
“Get married! Get married!” Caspian shouted, catching the excitement from Elisa.
Galatea felt helpless and embarrassed. “Kids, you really shouldn’t worry so much about adult stuff. Now, it’s late. Off to bed with you two.”
She ushered them out of the room, but outside, Elisa and Caspian exchanged knowing looks, before Elisa giggled. “Mommy’s just shy.”
“That must be it,” Caspian agreed with a grin.
“Harry, will you take me shopping tomorrow?” Elisa asked, her eyes shining with excitement. “Now that I’m about to become the daughter of the richest man in town, I’ve got to step up my game!”
“Of course! We’ll go shopping tomorrow,” Caspian agreed, already planning on spoiling Elisa rotten.
After he tucked Elisa into bed, Caspian sneaked off to the bathroom to make a phone call to Harry.
“I’ve got exciting news! Mommy and Mr. Knight might be tying the knot soon.”
“Really?” Harry’s voice was skeptical. “I’ve been with your dad the whole time, and I haven’t sensed anything like that.”
“It’s true,” Caspian insisted. “Harry, keep pushing. We’re almost there!”
Harry chuckled. “It’s your victory, not mine. But my mom… marrying your dad? That still doesn’t sit well with me.”
“Don’t worry. My dad’s a good guy. He’ll treat your mom well,” Caspian reassured him.
“By the way,” Harry asked, “Are you back? We need to switch places.”
Caspian froze, then muttered, “Bad signal. I’ll call you back.”
As he hung up, Harry shook his head with a bemused smile. “Caspian Knight, you’re not as smooth as I thought.”
Back in the hallway, Harry ran into Alaric, fresh out of the bathroom.
“Dad, are you really going to marry Mommy?” Harry asked boldly, now curious after hearing Caspian’s excited news.
Alaric didn’t respond immediately, a look of contemplation crossing his face.
“Did you forget what I said?” Alaric finally said, his voice low. “It’s not that easy to make Galatea your mother.”
Harry tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. “Then you’re giving up?”
Alaric’s silence spoke volumes, but Harry wasn’t about to let it slide.
“Really, Dad?” Harry sighed, shaking his head. “You’ve conquered the world but can’t win over one woman? That’s gotta be embarrassing.”
A fire sparked in Alaric’s eyes. “A woman I can’t have?” He paused, his voice growing intense. “No woman is out of my reach.”
The challenge was clear, and Alaric’s pride flared in response.
A woman he couldn’t have? There was no way he’d let that happen.