Chapter 190: Daddy, Are You Having an Episode?
Marigold’s voice was cold and commanding. “You can see your son, but you must leave Texas immediately.”
Galatea blinked, confused. “Leave Texas? Why? If I leave, will you give my son back to me?”
Marigold’s tone remained icy. “My son has remarried. Your identity is a danger to our family, so you must disappear from Texas forever. Only then can I feel at ease.”
Galatea’s heart sank. What is she saying? What does this even mean?
“So, if I leave Texas, you’ll return my son?” Galatea couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Marigold continued, her words cold but sure. “No. My new daughter-in-law cannot conceive, and the child—your son—is now treated as her own. I’ve heard that your two other children are still alive and with you. Bring them to me, and then you can leave Texas. If you want to see them, I’ll arrange for the three children to meet you outside Texas.”
Galatea’s blood ran cold. What? Let another woman take my place as my son’s mother? And now she wants to take Harry and Elisa, too?
“Marigold, your request is insane!” Galatea’s voice shook with anger and disbelief. “You gave my son away, and now you want to take my other two children?”
Marigold scoffed. “Insane? You don’t understand, do you? You deceived our family before. I was kind enough to let your children live comfortably. And now you still think you’re some kind of Storm family heiress?”
Marigold’s tone turned bitter. “The Storm family went bankrupt a long time ago, and now you’re just a small-time doctor. Can you even provide for your children? I can give all three of them a life of luxury, and as their mother, you should be happy. Think about their future. You should want what’s best for them, not selfishly keep them by your side.”
Galatea felt the heat of anger rise. “Selfish? Is that what you think? A child’s happiness is being with their real mother! You don’t understand anything about what true selfishness is.”
Marigold’s scowl deepened. “Stellan Storm, I’m trying to be reasonable with you, but you’re forcing my hand. Those two children might not be mine by blood, but I like them. I want them all. I want all three triplets in my house.”
Galatea stood firm, her voice low but resolute. “You’re a thief, Marigold. I’ll never give my children to you. Never.”
Marigold’s eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. “You really don’t understand, do you? I’ve been more than respectful by coming here and talking to you. You know full well that I could easily take those two children away from you.”
Galatea felt the weight of Marigold’s power, the way she could manipulate the situation with her wealth and influence. She could probably track down Harry and Elisa easily. The thought of losing them was unbearable.
“Marigold, I won’t say anything about your son’s marriage. It won’t interfere with it. But please, I beg you, as a mother—don’t take my children from me. I can’t live without them.” Galatea’s voice broke with emotion. “I promise, I’ll leave Texas with all three of them and never come back. Just give me back my son.”
Marigold stood up, her face hardening. “Don’t try to bargain with me, you have no right. I’ll give you a day to think about it. If you don’t agree, don’t blame me for being ruthless. And remember, if you tell anyone about this, you’ll never see your son again.”
“Mrs. Marigold!” Galatea’s voice cracked with desperation.
Marigold gestured dismissively. “Get her out of here. I don’t want to see her face anymore.”
Two bodyguards swiftly moved in, placing a blindfold over Galatea’s eyes before roughly ushering her back to the car.
As the car pulled away, Galatea’s heart hammered in her chest. She couldn’t stop thinking about her son. And the thought of Marigold taking Harry and Elisa away was even worse. If that happened, Galatea would lose everything.
The car sped through the city, and the bodyguards finally threw her out of the car without ceremony.
Galatea staggered to her feet, her hands trembling as she fumbled for her phone. She dialed Harry and Elisa’s number, muttering under her breath, “Please… please pick up.”
Her heart skipped a beat when she heard Harry’s voice on the other end. “Hello, Mommy?”
“Harry, Elisa, are you both okay? Are you safe?” Galatea’s voice was shaky with relief.
Caspian’s voice came through, calm and steady. “We’re fine, Mommy. What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
A wave of relief washed over Galatea, but it was short-lived. “Don’t ask any questions right now. Listen carefully. Starting tomorrow, you two will stay at the school dormitory. I’ll pick you up on Friday. No one else is allowed to pick you up, do you understand?”
“Okay,” Caspian replied without hesitation.
Galatea took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “Harry, do you remember the portrait I showed you last time? The one with the old lady in it?”
“I remember,” Caspian replied.
“The woman in that portrait is a bad person,” Galatea warned, her voice trembling. “If she comes near you, don’t go with her. Never go with her.”
Caspian was silent for a moment, processing her words. Then he replied, “I understand, Mommy. Don’t worry, we’ll stay at the dorm and won’t go with her.”
Galatea’s heart swelled with relief. “That’s good. Remember everything I said.”
“We got it,” Caspian said firmly before the call ended.
Galatea collapsed to the ground, drained. She had done everything she could, but the weight of the situation was taking its toll. She was too exhausted to feel fear anymore.
Just then, her phone rang again. It was Alaric. She wanted to answer, but she couldn’t bring herself to. She was in no state to talk.
Meanwhile, Caspian and Elisa exchanged confused glances. Elisa’s voice was uncertain. “Harry, do you think that lady is really a bad person? Should we call the police? Maybe she’s a human trafficker.”
Caspian frowned, his mind racing. “She’s not a trafficker, but she’s definitely not a good person. Something’s really wrong, Elisa. Mommy wouldn’t be so scared if it wasn’t serious.”
“I’ll call Dad,” Caspian decided. “He can handle this.”
Elisa nodded. “Okay. You do that. I’m going to get some water.”
Caspian grabbed his phone and quickly dialed Alaric.
Alaric had just woken up, feeling weak. He struggled to sit up in bed, but his body wouldn’t cooperate. He tried to stand, but the effort left him dizzy and disoriented. As the phone rang, he thought it was Galatea calling, but when he picked up, he realized it was Caspian.
“Hello, Harry?” Alaric’s voice was strained.
Caspian’s voice cracked with concern. “Dad, you sound really weak. Are you okay? Where are you?”
Alaric tried to sound normal, but Caspian could tell something was wrong. “I’m fine. I’m just… a little tired. Why did you call?”
“Are you at the company lounge?” Caspian guessed, his worry intensifying. “I’m coming over.”
“I’m fine, Caspian,” Alaric reassured him, but Caspian was already on his way out the door.
Elisa called after him. “Harry, where are you going?”
“I’m going to play basketball with some friends,” Caspian lied quickly, his mind racing. “You go home first, okay? Don’t worry about me.”
With that, Caspian rushed out, hailing a taxi to go to Alaric. Every second counted.