Chapter 198: Tensions Mounting
Marigold’s guilt was evident, though she refused to admit it. Joe, too, seemed to carry the weight of something unspoken, but neither of them was willing to come clean. Alaric watched them carefully, his mind racing as he pieced together the truth.
“Mom, you’ve been accusing Galatea of seeking revenge, but let’s look at the bigger picture,” Alaric said, his voice steady, though tinged with frustration. “As a mother yourself, surely you can understand the emotions at play here. Concealing the child to prevent Galatea from finding him—don’t you think that’s going a bit too far?”
Marigold stiffened, her face hardening. “What proof do you have to accuse me of hiding the child?” she snapped, her voice betraying the guilt she refused to acknowledge. “Caspian is my grandson. How could I harm him? He’s sharp, Alaric—how could I possibly keep him hidden? The child’s bone fracture hasn’t healed yet. I simply found a quiet place for his recovery. You think I would imprison my own flesh and blood?”
Marigold’s words were defensive, but the strain was clear in her voice. She pressed her hand to her chest, her breathing shallow as though the weight of her own lies was beginning to suffocate her.
Joe, sensing the situation spiraling, rushed to her side. “Mrs. Knight, please, don’t get worked up. Calm down for your health.”
Alaric’s gaze softened briefly, seeing his mother’s distress, but he couldn’t let it go. Not this time.
“Mom, I won’t say more,” he said, taking a deep breath. “But know this: if I can’t see Caspian next time, I’ll search for him myself. I’ll bring Galatea, Harry, and Elisa back. If you refuse to let me see them, then you’ll lose them forever.”
Alaric’s voice was firm, unwavering. He turned on his heel and left, leaving Marigold staring after him, her face a mixture of disbelief and rage.
As the door closed behind him, Marigold muttered bitterly to Joe, “Did you hear that? Stellan threatened me back then, and now Alaric’s doing the same. It’s outrageous. The son I raised is nothing but an ungrateful wretch.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she fought them back, her chest heaving with anger and pain.
Joe, helpless in the face of her distress, tried his best to console her. “Mrs. Knight, please… calm yourself. You’ve got to take care of your health.”
Meanwhile, Alaric was in his car, his mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. This situation with Marigold and Galatea was worse than any business conflict he had ever dealt with. He hadn’t expected the two women in his life to clash like this, but here they were—each tugging at him in different directions.
As he drove, his phone rang, snapping him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen—Galatea.
“Hello, Alaric.”
Galatea’s voice was soft but urgent. “I’m outside, just going for a walk. I’m planning to head to the hospital now.”
“The hospital? Is something wrong?” Alaric’s concern was immediate. He wondered if this had anything to do with Marigold’s confrontation.
Galatea’s tone was slightly strained. “No, it’s not me. It’s Ravenna. Cormac called and said Ravenna has been calling my name while in a coma. He’s worried. I’m going to visit her.”
Alaric’s mind raced. Ravenna? Calling Galatea’s name in her coma? That was strange. They hadn’t exactly been close. Why would Ravenna be calling for her now?
“I’ll come pick you up,” Alaric said, without hesitation. “I haven’t seen Ravenna since she was hospitalized, and I’m sure it would be good for both of us to go together.”
Galatea’s heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing him again, but she didn’t let it show. “Okay. I’ll send you my location.”
As she hung up, Galatea’s thoughts swirled in a storm of emotions. The time had come to confront Alaric with everything. She had warned Marigold that if she didn’t return Harry to her, she would expose the truth—but now, Galatea feared how Alaric would react. She had no choice but to tell him everything, to be honest, but the weight of it made her chest tighten.
She couldn’t hold back any longer. She had to tell him the truth about what happened all those years ago—the truth about his mother’s role in the destruction of their family. But where to start?
How should I tell him? Galatea wondered, her mind racing. She didn’t want to lose him, but the truth was heavy. The truth would change everything.
And just as she pondered this, she received the information she needed from Cormac. Ravenna was in a semi-coma, and her condition had shifted unexpectedly. The situation felt like a sign—she couldn’t put it off any longer.