Chapter 136
Alaric’s heart was heavy as he faced his mother, Mrs. Marigold. The conversation had escalated into an argument that seemed to pierce deeper than anything before. Her words, laced with venom, only made him feel more betrayed.
“Alaric!” Mrs. Marigold spat, fury clear in her eyes. “Are you accusing me of disregarding life by saying that?”
“Yes,” Alaric responded, his voice cold, his anger burning brighter.
The words that came next from Mrs. Marigold were venomous. “I won’t give her a grand burial, nor will I have her tombstone placed in the Knight family’s cemetery. She was just a woman who sold her body for money. It was her fortune to bear Caspian for you. Her death was worth it, and there’s nothing pitiful about it! That despicable woman isn’t even worth mentioning her name or letting the world know who she was! You keep asking me why I’m not good to Caspian… it’s because I know Caspian was born from that despicable woman. Every time I see Caspian, I think of her, so I dislike him!”
Her words, harsh and unrelenting, made Alaric’s blood run cold. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How could a mother speak like this about the woman who had given birth to her grandchild?
“Since the child she bore disgusts you,” Alaric said with quiet rage, “then you shouldn’t have asked her to bear a child for me in the first place. Mom, it’s too contradictory.”
Mrs. Marigold didn’t flinch. Instead, she let out a bitter laugh. “Yes, I’m a contradictory, malicious, and heartless woman. The more I look at Caspian now, the more displeased I become. I even suspect that Caspian isn’t a true descendant of the Knight family!”
Alaric’s eyes widened, his disbelief turning into outrage. “Go and have a DNA test with him immediately! If it proves he’s not a descendant of the Knight family, kick him out right away!”
Her words were like a slap to his face. He never thought his mother could be this heartless. Yet, there she was, suggesting a complete rejection of the child that she herself had brought into the world.
“Fine!” Alaric’s anger was raw, his voice cutting through the tension. “I will go and do a DNA test with Caspian today. I’ll show you the results, and I hope you won’t regret all these years of your actions toward him when you see them!”
Without another word, Alaric turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, his mind racing with thoughts too complicated to untangle. His steps were heavy with the weight of betrayal as he left the house.
Once outside, Alaric took a long breath, trying to steady his nerves. But his thoughts were like a whirlpool, spinning faster and faster. Just as he was about to get into his car, his phone rang. It was Cormac.
“Are you out of the hospital?” Cormac asked, a touch of irritation in his voice. “You’re so inconsiderate, not even telling me you were discharged. I came all the way to the hospital for nothing!”
Alaric’s lips twisted into a bitter smile as he answered, “Coming to Gloria Winery. Have a drink with me.”
Cormac’s voice shifted instantly, sensing that something was wrong. “Gloria Winery? That’s not a casual invitation. Something’s happened, hasn’t it?”
“Just come,” Alaric said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Cormac, ever the loyal friend, immediately drove over to Gloria Winery. When he arrived, Alaric was already sitting at a table, several wine glasses set up but untouched.
“What’s wrong with you today? You just got out of the hospital. Don’t you know you’re not supposed to drink?” Cormac said, moving quickly to take the glass from Alaric’s hand, trying to play the part of the responsible friend.
But Alaric barely reacted. His frustration was too much for him to process into words.
“What’s wrong?” Cormac pressed, unable to resist his curiosity. “Did you have a fight with Galatea again? Is it a real breakup this time?”
Alaric’s eyes darkened, and he shook his head. “It’s not about Galatea.”
Cormac raised an eyebrow. “Then what could be making you like this? Tell me. Maybe I can cheer you up.”
Alaric sneered at the idea of Cormac trying to make him feel better. In that moment, Cormac felt more like a fool than a friend. But Alaric couldn’t hold it in anymore, and in a voice raw with anger, he spilled the truth.
“Caspian isn’t Orion’s son,” Alaric said, letting the words fall like a hammer.
Cormac froze for ten seconds, processing the shock of it. “Orion isn’t really Caspian’s birth mother?” His voice was low, filled with disbelief.
“Yes. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?” Alaric’s frustration was palpable. “I can’t believe it either.”
“I don’t get it,” Cormac said, his voice incredulous. “Orion said those things just to marry you, but my parents, and Mrs. Marigold, and all the elders—why would they lie like this? This is insane! We’ve been lied to for years! My nephew has been calling me all this time, and now it turns out we’re not related at all? This is crazy!”
Alaric nodded grimly. “That’s the truth. It’s my fault, too. I should’ve questioned it all these years.”
“How is this your fault?” Cormac said, his voice full of disbelief. “Who would have thought they would come up with such a lie together? This is too absurd. Has Caspian’s biological mother really died?”
“I don’t know,” Alaric said, his frustration mounting. “Mrs. Marigold said so. But I’ll investigate further. I need to know the truth.”
Cormac processed this for a moment, then sighed, his face showing signs of confusion. “Should we tell Caspian about all this?”
Alaric shook his head. “Caspian has no affection for Orion. I think telling him that she’s not his birth mother will actually make him happy. As for his biological mother… let’s wait until he’s older, until he’s ready to understand.”
“I agree,” Cormac said, rubbing his temples. “Considering his age, this might just be too much for him. This is insane… the people involved in this lie are all out of their minds.”
Alaric stood up suddenly, his decision clear. “Help me with something.”
“What do you need? Are you checking Caspian’s birth mother?” Cormac asked.
“No,” Alaric said, his jaw set with determination. “I want to do a DNA test with Caspian.”
Cormac looked confused. “Why? Caspian isn’t Orion’s. He’s your son, and he looks just like you.”
Alaric’s eyes flashed with a sudden sharpness. “I know he’s my son. That’s why I want to do it. I want to silence anyone who doubts it.”
Cormac nodded slowly. “I got it. Leave it to me. All I need is a strand of Caspian’s hair, with the follicle.”
“Okay,” Alaric said, his tone firm.
After that conversation, Alaric returned home, the weight of everything heavy on his shoulders. He entered the house, trying to brace himself for the emotional storm he was about to face. As soon as he saw Caspian, his heart broke. This child, caught in the middle of all this turmoil, was the one who had been hurt the most.
“Daddy, you’re out of the hospital! How are you?” Caspian’s voice, full of innocent concern, made Alaric’s chest tighten.
But before Caspian could finish his sentence, Alaric’s arms went around him in a sudden embrace, surprising the boy.
“Daddy, what’s wrong with you?” Caspian asked, his voice full of confusion, bewildered by the sudden change in his father’s demeanor.
Alaric squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, the realization that this child had been living a lie sinking in deeper with every passing second. He couldn’t protect Caspian from the harsh truths, but he would be damned if he didn’t try to shield him from the pain as much as possible.