Chapter 229: Torn Between Love and Family
“Mrs. Knight, please calm down,” Joe said, stepping forward, his voice soothing as he tried to steady Marigold. Turning to Alaric, he added, “Mr. Knight, your mother’s heart condition—”
“That’s none of your business. Back off!” Alaric snapped, his eyes flashing with frustration. Joe, sensing the tension, reluctantly stepped aside.
Alaric turned his gaze back to his mother, his voice hardening. “Mom, I didn’t act on impulse. I’ve told you countless times that I wanted to marry Galatea. You never respected my wishes, and…”
His tone grew more resolute. “If you’re going to use your heart condition to threaten me, I’ll do the same. My health isn’t perfect either. Are you worried about your heart but not mine? If my condition worsens, it could be fatal too.”
Marigold recoiled, clutching her chest in exaggerated distress. “Alaric! Are you threatening me with your health?”
Stellan moved instinctively to support Marigold, but Alaric’s sharp voice stopped her. “No, Stellan,” he said, his hand resting lightly on her arm. “Mom, I just want to marry the woman I love. Why can’t you accept that? I don’t understand.”
Marigold sneered, her lips curling in disdain. “You don’t understand? You’ve been bewitched by Stellan, haven’t you? Of course, you don’t understand.”
Her finger jabbed accusingly at Stellan. “Alaric, ask her. Ask her why she agreed to marry you and have your children. Isn’t it all for money? The Storm family was drowning in debt, and I paid it off!”
Her voice grew sharper, venom seeping through every word. “Your marriage was a business deal. I paid her to have three kids for the Knight family. If she had any self-awareness, she’d realize she’s just a tool, not someone who should be scheming to marry you and use the kids to manipulate you!”
“Mom!” Alaric’s voice cracked with emotion, his face reddening with anger. “What are you talking about?”
“Am I wrong?” Marigold’s eyes burned with fury as she pointed directly at Stellan. “Tell me, where did I go wrong? Didn’t you agree to this marriage for money? You knew those kids were ours, but you lied to me. Stellan, how have I wronged you? You sold yourself for money and now you claim to love Alaric?”
Before Stellan could respond, Marigold lunged forward, her hands outstretched to grab her. But Alaric stepped in, his body blocking his mother’s path.
“Mom,” he said firmly, his voice unwavering, “I know you’re angry, but you need to show some respect for Stellan. I’m her husband now. I know who she is, and I didn’t come here for your approval. Your opinion doesn’t matter to me anymore.”
Alaric turned to Stellan, his expression softening. “Come on. Let’s go.”
With his hand tightly grasping hers, he led Stellan toward the door. But before leaving, Alaric paused and looked back at his mother.
“Mom,” he said, his voice low but resolute, “whether you accept her or not, she’s my wife now. If you can’t respect her, at least don’t insult her. This is the last time. If you speak to her like this again, we’re done. Take care.”
Marigold stood frozen, her face a mask of shock and disbelief. “What do you mean, Alaric?” Her voice shook. “Are you really going to disown me for Stellan? This isn’t that simple. The Knight family is still under my control. If you cut ties with me, you’ll lose everything. Do you hear me? Alaric!”
Her voice echoed in the hall as she chased after them, but Alaric didn’t stop. Without a word, he climbed into the car with Stellan and drove off, the tires screeching as they sped away.
As the car moved further down the driveway, Marigold collapsed to the ground, trembling with rage. “Alaric is really rebelling!” she hissed, her voice full of disbelief and fury. “Is he really planning to give up everything for Stellan?”
“Mrs. Knight, please don’t get so upset,” Joe urged, his face full of concern. He quickly turned to a maid. “Get the medicine. Hurry.”
Meanwhile, Alaric drove fast, his focus intense, while Stellan sat beside him, her mind swirling with thoughts of the confrontation that had just transpired. She had expected a rough encounter with Marigold, but this… this was more intense than she had imagined. Marigold’s final words rang in her ears, like a chilling warning: If Alaric cut ties with her, he’d lose everything.
Stellan felt a tight knot form in her stomach. Marigold might really force Alaric to choose between her and the Knight family, and if it came to that, she feared Marigold would go through with it. Alaric would no longer be the head of Nexus Innovations, and he’d end up with nothing—just like Cormac.
Her voice came out in a whisper, as if trying to hold back tears. “I’m sorry.”
The car came to an abrupt stop. Stellan blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. Alaric’s voice cut through the silence. “I’m sorry,” he said, his tone gentle but filled with regret.
Stellan turned to him, guilt suddenly bubbling inside her. “I should be the one apologizing,” she murmured. “It’s all because of me…”
Alaric reached over and gently touched her cheek, his voice tender. “Stellan,” he said, using her name for the first time in such an intimate, reassuring way. “I don’t want you to feel that way. It was my decision to marry you. It has nothing to do with you. Don’t take my mom’s hurtful words to heart. She’s just like that—once she believes something, she won’t accept any other explanations. And this time… I miscalculated. I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
He paused, glancing at her with a frown. “I know this must have been hard for you, but I don’t want you to feel guilty. You’re not to blame.”
Stellan smiled faintly, though she still felt the weight of Marigold’s words heavy on her heart. “No, we had to face it sooner or later,” she said softly. “I’m fine. Don’t be upset.”
Alaric reached over, pinching her cheek lightly in an attempt to lighten the mood. “I feel helpless sometimes, having a mom like this. After everything with the Nash family, she still refuses to take a step back so we can be a happy family. She’s so stubborn and unyielding.” He let out a deep sigh, his frustration apparent. “I’ve never agreed with her mindset, but… I can’t change her.”
Stellan remained silent, but in her heart, she couldn’t help but agree. When it came to stubbornness, Marigold and Griffon were two sides of the same coin.
Alaric seemed to sense her thoughts. “Alright,” he said, shifting gears. “Today is a good day, despite everything. Let’s forget about the ugly parts for now. I’ve said what I needed to say to her. As for the rest… let’s just go with the flow.”
“Go with the flow?” Stellan murmured, a slight frown furrowing her brow. Could they really just let it go with the flow? Could she just ignore the consequences of Marigold’s anger?
Stellan hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “Alaric… if Mrs. Knight really does cut ties with you and forces you to leave the Knight family, then you…”
She trailed off, unable to finish the question. Would Alaric regret it? What would he do if that day really came?