Chapter 218: The Shocking Truth
The last time Harry visited Cormac’s villa, he was completely amazed by how luxurious and cozy it felt. The Knight mansion was sleek and cold, with cool tones that gave it a desolate vibe. But this place—it was warm, inviting, and full of life. Harry had loved it.
But tonight, it felt so different. The house seemed emptier now. Many of the belongings had been packed away.
“Cormac?” Harry called out, his voice echoing in the silence.
Cormac knew exactly why Harry was here—Alaric had sent him. He answered coldly, “I’m not your uncle. We have no relationship.”
Harry’s chest tightened. He hadn’t expected that response. He quickly moved closer, his eyes welling up with tears. “But last time, you promised you’d be my uncle for life. Adults should keep their promises, right? How can you lie to me like this?”
For a brief moment, Cormac felt the weight of his own sadness. He had once believed he could be Caspian’s uncle forever, but now that seemed impossible. He sighed, his voice firm. “Just consider it a lie. Leave now.”
“I’m not leaving!” Harry exclaimed, throwing his arms around Cormac in a tight hug. “No matter how mean you are to me, I’m staying. I know you’re sad, and I want to be here with you.”
Cormac tried to push him away, but Harry refused to budge. “I want to stay here. My dad dropped me off and left. If you kick me out, what if I get hit by a car?”
The mention of a car made Cormac’s heart twist. He couldn’t ignore it. With a reluctant sigh, he stood up and walked toward the stairs. “Suit yourself.”
He retreated to his bedroom and closed the door. Left in the hallway, Harry pouted but remained determined. “Fine, I’ll just sleep in the living room,” he muttered, ignoring Cormac’s silence.
With a deep sigh, Harry made his way to the first-floor hall, now covered in white cloths, a stark reminder that the house was being taken away.
Meanwhile, after dropping Harry off, Alaric made his way to the amusement park to find Galatea, Caspian, and Elisa. Elisa practically leaped into his arms as soon as she saw him, her excitement contagious. She acted spoiled, insisting she was too tired to walk, and Alaric, ever the doting father, immediately scooped her up and kissed her.
Galatea and Caspian exchanged eye rolls but couldn’t help but smile at their antics.
Eventually, Caspian and Elisa, worn out from their excitement, fell asleep on the way home. Alaric was driving, with Galatea in the passenger seat.
“You sent Caspian to Cormac’s place?” Galatea asked, breaking the silence.
“Yeah,” Alaric replied, his voice tinged with worry. “I hope he can offer Cormac some comfort.”
“I hope so too,” Galatea murmured, her voice quiet with concern.
After a pause, Galatea pulled out her phone and began checking her messages, but there was nothing new.
“What’s up? Waiting for a call?” Alaric asked, glancing at her with a teasing smile.
Galatea hesitated, then answered, her tone uneasy, “Kind of. The last time I called Marigold, her butler said the man already knew and would contact me. It’s been days, and he still hasn’t reached out…”
“You’re really looking forward to it, huh?” Alaric teased.
“Stop being sarcastic,” Galatea replied, her brow furrowing. “I’m worried.”
“Worried about the child?” Alaric asked, raising an eyebrow.
Galatea’s eyes widened. “How do you know?”
“I guessed,” Alaric said with a shrug.
Galatea stared at him, a mix of confusion and surprise on her face. “You guessed? How could you guess that?”
Alaric only smiled. “But I did.”
“Impossible,” Galatea said, her voice firm. She turned to face him, her expression full of disbelief. “How did you know I had another child? And when I told you about my previous husband… your reaction was off.”
Alaric met her gaze, his smile widening. “Really? Then why do you think that is?”
Galatea’s mind raced, and as she looked at him, a bold thought flashed through her mind. Could it be?
“Figured it out?” Alaric asked, his voice teasing.
Galatea whispered, “Could it be? Was my previous husband… you? Were Harry and Elisa’s biological father… you?”
Alaric’s gaze softened, and he nodded slowly. “I was in a coma for three years after severe injuries. When you first became my doctor, didn’t I have Silas give you my medical records?”
The memory hit her like a ton of bricks. She had only received part of the medical records, and there was no mention of a coma. It had all been hidden from her.
“So you are…” Galatea whispered, stunned.
“Keep it down,” Alaric said quickly, as the car pulled to a stop in front of their home. Caspian shifted slightly in his sleep, and Alaric got out first to carefully carry him inside. Galatea followed, still grappling with the revelation.
Once they had settled the children into bed, Galatea immediately pulled Alaric into the study, shutting the door behind her. Her expression was a mix of shock and disbelief.
Alaric, looking slightly amused, asked, “Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t recognize me? Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Alaric, the man who became your husband and the father of your triplets seven years ago, without you even knowing.”
Galatea stood frozen, speechless, her mind racing with a million thoughts. Shock, confusion, and a sense of disbelief flooded her.
“Surprised?” Alaric asked with a teasing smile. “I take it you didn’t know?”
“Surprised?” Galatea said, her voice barely audible. “This is… this is beyond surprise. It’s impossible!”
She blinked, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions she was feeling. She had thought her previous husband was gone, but now she knew—Alaric had been that man.
Her thoughts turned to Marigold. “Then who is Marigold?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Alaric’s expression grew serious. “She’s my mother.”
Galatea’s mind went blank. The weight of the truth hit her all at once. She had bad-mouthed Marigold in front of Alaric so many times. And now, she realized, she had unknowingly become enemies with her own mother-in-law.
Galatea’s voice shook with anger. “Alaric, when did you know all this? You knew the whole time, didn’t you? You let me negotiate with her like a fool. Have you been playing me this entire time?”
The anger surged through her, her voice rising. “Why didn’t you tell me Marigold was your mother? Why didn’t you trust me with this?”
Alaric’s silence was the only response, but his eyes spoke volumes.