Chapter 25
“My name’s Alaric,” he answered truthfully, trying to keep his tone neutral.
“Then why are you answering my mom’s phone? Where is she?” Elisa demanded, clearly unsettled.
“She’s asleep,” Alaric replied, his voice calm but with an edge of amusement.
“You slept together?!” Elisa was utterly shocked. Didn’t Mom just return to the country recently? How did she end up in bed with a man so soon? Her mind raced with confusion. TV shows always say that when a guy and a girl sleep together, babies come into the picture!
Next to Elisa, Caspian stood frozen, the phone pressed to his ear, his mind spinning. He’d heard Harry talk about how actions could have irreversible consequences, but could things really spiral out of control this quickly?
“You have to take responsibility for my mom!” Elisa demanded angrily, her tone now one of accusation. “What’s your story? How did you end up sleeping with my mom?”
“You might want to ask your mom about that when she wakes up. She knows best,” Alaric suggested with a smirk, turning the tables back on Elisa.
Galatea alone knew how she had worked her charm on Caspian, climbing the social ladder step by step, Alaric thought, somewhat bemused by the situation.
“She’s out there snagging a boyfriend and not even telling us,” Elisa complained, her frustration boiling over. “So, you’re Alaric? I want to see what you look like. Send me your picture.”
Alaric raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Wait, you want a picture of me?”
“Of course, I do! You’re about to be my stepdad. I’ve got to know what you look like. And let me tell you, if you’re not easy on the eyes, forget marrying my mom. She’s a knockout, you know.”
Alaric couldn’t help but steal another glance at the still-sleeping Galatea. Despite his gripes about her character, there was no denying her beauty. She’s stunning, no argument there.
“Hurry up already!” Elisa pressed impatiently.
“You could just Google me, you know. You’ll find plenty,” Alaric replied casually. “And Elisa, it’s late. Kiddo, you should be in bed.”
With a chuckle, he hung up, leaving Elisa dumbfounded. How does this guy know that her name is Elisa?
“Hey, he said his name’s Alaric, Harry. Ring any bells?” Elisa turned to Caspian, confused.
“Nope,” Caspian answered quickly, his mind racing. How could he admit that the guy is his biological dad? But that was a detail he couldn’t reveal.
“He said we could look him up online. Harry, do a search for me, will you?” Elisa insisted.
“Okay,” Caspian replied, though his response was a beat too slow.
As Alaric placed the phone back into Galatea’s hand, he couldn’t help but glance at her once more. She was out cold, looking as though she’d been drugged. They were nearing the address she’d given, but as the villa came into view, Alaric had a change of heart. With a swift twist of the steering wheel, he veered off in another direction.
Meanwhile, Elisa had begun to look up Alaric’s photo on the internet. When she saw the results, her eyes widened in awe. She turned to Caspian, her face a mixture of surprise and curiosity. “Harry, doesn’t this guy look a lot like us?” she asked in disbelief. “I mean, don’t you think he could be our real dad?”
Caspian froze. Of course he looks like us. He’s our father, he thought, but the notion seemed too wild to entertain. But that’s just crazy talk. We have completely different parents. How could that even be possible?
“Do you think he could be our dad?” Elisa asked, her voice filled with wonder.
“You don’t know who your own dad is?” Caspian blurted out, completely taken aback.
Elisa punched him in the arm. “Are you out of your mind, Harry? We’ve never seen our dad. Mom said we don’t have one. How could that even make sense?”
Caspian’s heart sank. So, Harry and Elisa didn’t know who their dad was? But Alaric and Orion’s kid, isn’t he? Isn’t that the case?
Just then, Elisa shrieked, drawing him out of his thoughts. “A director of Nexus Innovations? And he’s some handsome, loaded guy? If he becomes my dad, does that mean I could inherit his fortune?” Her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and curiosity.
“You could give it a shot,” Caspian said, amusement creeping into his voice.
“Mom sure has an eye for men,” Elisa mused, grinning. “Now, I’ve got to figure out a way to get those two hitched as soon as possible.”
Caspian remained silent, his thoughts racing. I didn’t expect things to move this fast. But now it seemed like we’re all on the same page.
Once Alaric marries Galatea and everyone knows about the switch with Harry, all the misunderstandings will be cleared up. Then they could live happily ever after as a family of five, right? He smiled sweetly at the thought. But deep down, he knew the reality would be far more complicated.
The next morning, Galatea woke up with a splitting headache. She groaned softly, glancing at her phone. It was 7:30 AM.
“Elisa, bring me my clothes. I’m going to be late for work!” she called out lazily. By now, Harry and Elisa should have been up, dressed, and ready for school. But there was no answer. “Elisa? Elisa?” she called again, now fully aware that something wasn’t right.
It hit her then—this wasn’t her room. She looked around, taking in the luxurious surroundings. Where am I?
“Finally awake?” Alaric’s voice came from the door. “Thought you were dead to the world.”
Galatea’s eyes snapped to him in surprise. Last night, he’d carried her from the car to the bed without waking her. “Why am I here? Didn’t I ask you to take me home?” she demanded, confused and a little irritated.
Alaric smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “Don’t flatter yourself. With your skinny frame, I wouldn’t want you in my bed even if you were handed to me.”
Jerk!
“That’s for the best!” Galatea shot back as she scrambled to get out of bed. “And don’t get cocky. A guy like you, all show and no substance, barely holding on to life? You’re not my type.”
Before she could step down, Alaric was suddenly in front of her, pushing her back onto the bed.
“What are you doing?” Galatea asked, confused and slightly alarmed.
“Galatea,” Alaric said with a mischievous smile. “I’ve realized you’re quite the tease.”
Galatea narrowed her eyes. “Trying to provoke me with those words so I’ll sleep with you, is that it?”
Alaric chuckled darkly. “Aspiring to sleep with the wealthy isn’t shameful. What’s shameful is pretending to be pure when harboring such desires.”
Before Galatea could respond, Alaric’s hands were on her, pushing her onto the couch with surprising force.
“You’re not just shameful. You’re pitiful!” Galatea retorted, anger flaring.
“Say that again!” Alaric’s voice was icy, commanding.
“You want to hear that humiliating phrase a second time?” Galatea was genuinely surprised by his audacity.
Before she could finish, he grabbed her chin roughly, his fingers pinching hard. Then, with no warning, he kissed her, a forceful, punishing kiss. The prickling of his freshly sprouted stubble sent shivers down her spine. His touch was warm, overpowering, and his kiss deepened with an intensity that left her breathless.
Did he honestly think that she would just roll over and submit? Not a chance.