Chapter 194: I Will Always Support You, No Matter Who Your Opponent Is.
After her meeting with Galatea today, Marigold was on edge. If Stellan hadn’t been so closely involved with Alaric, her plan would have unfolded perfectly. But they’d spent so much time together, and now, Marigold felt an intense fear gnawing at her.
“Your mother is calling,” Galatea announced softly.
Alaric had almost finished his meal, so Galatea took the dishes to tidy up and left the room. Alone now, Alaric answered the phone.
“Hello?”
“Alaric!” Marigold’s voice came through, strained and tearful. “Hurry back home! I had a sudden heart attack today. Luckily, I was rescued in time. Otherwise… you ungrateful child, always working and living in that company, completely neglecting me.”
Alaric knew right away it was another one of Marigold’s manipulative tactics. She was doing this to separate him from Galatea, just as she had tried to do after his departure from Arizona. The only way she could think of to drag him back was to pretend to be ill.
“Are you okay now?” Alaric asked, his voice casual, despite knowing her story wasn’t true.
“Do you think I’m okay?” Marigold shot back angrily when she heard his indifference. “Hurry up and come back. Do you hear me?”
Alaric could sense the underlying motive. He decided to approach the matter indirectly. “Are you not satisfied with the woman who gave birth to me years ago, or with Galatea now?”
There was a brief silence on the line, and then Marigold answered, slightly guilty. “I was talking about my health, and now you’re asking about this?”
“It’s just a casual question,” Alaric responded, his tone neutral. “But I hope you’ll answer truthfully.”
Marigold, realizing Alaric didn’t know the full truth about Galatea, hesitated before finally admitting, “Yes, I’m not satisfied.”
Alaric, now more curious, pressed her. “Why?”
Marigold let out a bitter laugh. “Why? I’ve told you. The woman from seven years ago agreed to have your child for money. A woman who would sell herself for money—how could I possibly be satisfied with her? And as for Galatea, she approached you for money too. Don’t be naive, Alaric. With your status, you could have any woman. Why settle for these kinds of women?”
Marigold’s bitterness was apparent, and her words were a venomous mix of jealousy and disdain. She had never been pleased with any woman who came into Alaric’s life, from Stellan to Galatea. Today’s meeting had only confirmed her suspicions that Galatea was a gold digger.
Alaric responded calmly, “What if I must marry her?”
Marigold’s voice rose in panic. “Marry her? Alaric, are you trying to kill me? I told you, I had a heart attack today. I almost died. And you’re not worried about me, but now you want to anger me with Galatea? Don’t you care if you kill me?”
Alaric’s voice remained calm. “Mom, do you want our relationship to end up like Griffon’s and Cormac’s?”
“What did you say?” Marigold’s voice faltered, pain flashing through her heart. Cormac had left their home years ago because of a woman, and now he barely spoke to Griffon.
Marigold shouted in outrage, “Alaric, are you threatening me?”
Alaric, however, spoke coolly, “I’m just reminding you. Alright, Mom, since you’re not feeling well, rest. I’ll come back tomorrow, and we’ll talk face-to-face.”
It wasn’t the right time to argue over the phone. Alaric decided to return to the Knight family the next day for a more serious conversation with Marigold.
Meanwhile, Galatea had returned to the lounge and immediately noticed the tension in Alaric’s expression. It was clear he had argued with his mother again. She asked quietly, “Another argument with your mom?”
Alaric sighed, his shoulders heavy. “Generation gap… We can’t communicate.”
He wanted to tell Galatea everything, but after the phone call, he knew he needed to speak to Marigold first. He had to understand her reaction when she found out he knew everything about the past. Only then could he create a safe space to talk to Galatea. Until then, he couldn’t let her make any mistakes.
“Galatea, come here,” Alaric called gently.
Galatea, feeling emotionally drained, walked over and, seeking comfort, lightly climbed into bed beside him. She leaned into his arms, grateful for the physical and emotional support. Alaric, with a serious expression, turned to face her.
“Galatea,” he began softly, “What I’m about to tell you is very serious and important. You need to listen carefully.”
Galatea’s heart skipped a beat, sensing the weight in his words. Her nerves were on edge, but she nodded, prepared to listen closely.
Alaric continued, his voice firm, “Galatea, you’ve said that you wanted to start a new life, to leave behind the past with Stellan Storm. When you were with the Storm family, bankrupt and in debt, you could afford to be weak, to submit to the situation. But now that you’ve been reborn, you cannot be that person anymore. You are the new Galatea—strong, brave. No matter what comes, you cannot be weak. You cannot compromise. If something feels right to you, do it your way. Don’t let anyone bully you, and fight back however you see fit. I will always support you, no matter who your opponent is.”
Alaric’s gaze was intense as he spoke. He wasn’t just trying to comfort her; he wanted to instill in her a sense of power, a belief in her ability to take charge of her life.
“Most importantly,” he added, his voice low but unwavering, “The woman I’ve chosen will never change. If you never change your mind, no one—not even your mother—can make you leave me. I won’t allow that. Even if someone tries to make you choose between me and someone else you care about, you tell them you want both. Because whatever you want, I will make sure you get it.”
Alaric’s words were filled with sincerity. He had seen how things had gone wrong with Cormac and Rowena Blaire. Marigold was stubborn, and Alaric knew that the situation with Galatea could follow a similar trajectory. He couldn’t be with her all the time, and there would inevitably be moments where Galatea and Marigold would meet alone.
He needed Galatea to be strong—both for herself and for their relationship.
Galatea felt the depth of his words, her eyes welling with tears. The ultimatum Marigold had given her earlier had left her uncertain, torn between her loyalty to Alaric and the pressure from his mother. But hearing Alaric speak so firmly, so confidently, gave her a newfound sense of clarity.
She took a deep breath and nodded, her voice trembling slightly but filled with resolve. “I will fight for us, Alaric. I will win back your son, and I will marry you. No matter what it takes.”
Alaric smiled softly, pulling her closer. “That’s my Galatea.”