Chapter 219: The Secrets Unravel
Galatea’s anger was palpable. Alaric had known about all of this for so long, and he should have done something sooner. Now, her relationship with Marigold was beyond repair, and the betrayal stung deep.
“I didn’t know at first,” Alaric explained softly. “I found out during your second treatment. My mom wronged you from the start, and I understand that. Don’t worry—I won’t let her push you around.”
Galatea’s relationship with Marigold was shattered, practically irreparable now. The woman who had once been a motherly figure was now her sworn enemy.
“What about the DNA test?” Galatea pressed, her tone urgent.
“Griffon messed with the results,” Alaric said, his voice full of anger. “That’s why we lost all those years. But hey, fate brought us back together, right?”
Galatea froze. Griffon had tampered with the DNA test? She hadn’t expected that.
“Did your mom know about it?” Galatea asked, her mind racing.
“Not for long,” Alaric replied, his eyes darkening. “But yeah, she knew before she came to you.”
The pieces fell into place. No wonder Marigold had been so eager to take Harry and Elisa away from her, and why she’d pushed Galatea to leave Arizona. Marigold wanted Galatea out of the picture. She was doing everything she could to keep them apart.
Alaric softened his tone. “I should’ve told you sooner, but I swear, I won’t let my mom bully you. If she can’t accept you, then fine. We won’t live with her, and we won’t see her.”
Could it really be that simple? Could Marigold just walk away from Alaric, Harry, Caspian, and Elisa?
“So Caspian is the son I’ve been looking for?” Galatea asked, the realization slowly dawning on her.
Alaric smiled, a tender glint in his eyes. “You just figured it out? Caspian is our eldest son.”
Galatea’s heart skipped a beat. “Where is he now?” She could barely believe it. Caspian had been right under her nose this whole time.
Alaric chuckled. “He’s right here, with us. The son you’ve been searching for is already back in your life. It’s fate.”
“Take me to see him right now!” Galatea pleaded, her desperation mounting. She felt an overwhelming sense of guilt toward Caspian for having missed out on so many years with him.
Alaric, ever the patient one, shook his head. “It’s late. Let’s get some rest first. When you wake up, I promise you’ll see him as soon as possible.”
“But—”
“Don’t worry,” Alaric said, his smile reassuring. “I’m here, and Caspian is here. He’s not going anywhere. Just like it was always meant to be that you’re my wife. Even though we didn’t know it and were separated for years, you were always meant to be mine.”
Galatea’s heart swelled. It was almost too much to take in. Her legal husband, the man she had fallen in love with years later, was the same Alaric she had married. It was unbelievable.
“You’ve suffered all these years, especially during childbirth six years ago,” Alaric said, his tone softening as he reached for her hand. “It was a life-and-death situation. It was Griffon’s fault, and my mom’s fault.”
Galatea couldn’t speak. The memories of that time—the pain, the fear—flooded her, and her throat tightened. She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come.
Alaric squeezed her hand gently. “But look at us now. We have three smart, adorable kids. I feel fulfilled.”
Tears finally spilled down Galatea’s face. She had never imagined she would find the children’s biological father again, let alone be given a chance to complete their family. This was all so overwhelming.
“Don’t cry,” Alaric said, quickly wiping her tears. “Our family is together now. We should be happy. Let’s go to sleep, and when you wake up, you’ll see Caspian.”
Galatea nodded, still unable to speak, her emotions too raw to process.
Alaric carefully carried her to bed. She was too restless to sleep, tossing and turning with excitement.
“What does Caspian look like?” she asked eagerly. “Does he look like Harry? Do you have a photo? Let me see it first.”
“Sleep first,” Alaric said, trying to soothe her.
“I can’t sleep yet. I haven’t even met him! I don’t know what my son looks like!”
Alaric smiled but remained firm. “Tomorrow, when you see him, you’ll understand.”
“But I can’t wait!”
“Even if you can’t wait, you must,” Alaric said with a teasing smile.
Galatea’s frustration was palpable. “So, Caspian is with Cormac now, right? Shall we go together to pick him up tomorrow?”
“No need.”
“Why not? We need to bring him back so I can see him.”
“I said there’s no need,” Alaric replied, his voice firm.
“But—”
“Go to sleep!” Alaric insisted, with a light laugh.
Galatea glared at him but couldn’t argue anymore. He was being so stubborn, and it only added to her frustration.
Alaric held her close, trying to get her to relax. Eventually, she did manage to settle down, but sleep didn’t come easily.
Meanwhile, Harry, still disguised as Caspian, had fallen asleep on the couch downstairs. He had no blanket, so he had to sleep in his clothes. It was late, but he was exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster.
Cormac, unable to ignore Harry’s discomfort, quietly emerged from his bedroom. Seeing the boy curled up on the couch, covered only by a white cloth, he couldn’t bear to leave him like that. He gently lifted Harry and carried him to the bedroom, tucking him under the covers.
Once Harry was settled, Cormac walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and stared out into the night. It was his last night in this house. How could he possibly sleep now?
Across town, Marigold was also restless. She knew that Alaric had taken Harry from Tranquil Valley mansion, and he would soon bring Galatea and the three children to see her. Her thoughts churned with anger and fear.
“Mrs. Knight, it’s only five in the morning. Why are you up so early?” Joe asked, looking surprised.
Marigold’s eyes were sharp with fury. “Alaric is about to bring Stellan and the children here. How can I sleep? Stellan must know everything. She’s probably said all sorts of things to Alaric, and now he’s coming to take it out on me. She hasn’t even married into the family yet, but she’s already trying to suppress me. Not on my watch!”
Joe’s face remained calm. “Mr. Alaric Knight will bring her, but not today. He took Caspian to Mr. Nash’s place. He didn’t go to see Stellan.”
Marigold’s anger flared. “What did you say? Alaric took Caspian to Cormac’s place? This is outrageous! Everyone knows how unlucky the Nash family is. How could he take Caspian there? What kind of father is Alaric?”
In a fit of rage, Marigold immediately called Cormac, surprising him.
“Hello, Mrs. Knight,” Cormac answered, reluctant to pick up the phone. But as an elder, he couldn’t just ignore her.
Marigold’s voice was syrupy sweet, though her anger still simmered beneath the surface. “Cormac, I’ve heard about everything happening with your family. I’m so sorry. How are you doing now?”
“I’m fine,” Cormac replied briefly.
“If you need anything, just ask,” Marigold continued. “I’ve watched you grow up. How can I not help you in your time of need?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Knight, but I don’t need any help,” Cormac said, surprised by her sudden kindness.
Marigold pressed on, her tone shifting slightly. “Is Caspian with you?”
“Yes,” Cormac answered.
“Good, good,” she said quickly. “But you know how busy Alaric is with work. The entertainment city project is almost finished, and he’s got so much to do. If you really need help, come to me. And Caspian… well, he has a broken bone. I’ve told him time and time again not to run around. But now Alaric has sent him to you again. This is all too much.”
At first, Cormac was touched by her concern, but as Marigold continued, the true nature of her words became clear. This was manipulation, and Cormac wasn’t falling for it.
“I understand, Mrs. Knight. Don’t worry, the Nash family’s issues won’t affect the Knight family,” he said, his voice calm but resolute. And with that, he hung up.