Chapter 38
“That’s totally off the table!” To Harry’s surprise, Caspian firmly rejected the idea.
“Why not?” Harry asked, clearly puzzled. “Don’t you want to get rid of Orion?”
“As much as I can’t stand her, I can’t lie about things,” Caspian replied. “Our families have been intertwined for years, and if this blows up, it will cause a mess. I can’t let that happen.”
Harry let out a resigned sigh after hearing Caspian’s explanation. “Alright, you’ve got a lot to juggle, so I won’t rock the boat.”
“We need to come up with something else,” Caspian said, his voice serious. “We’ve got to get those two married fast, or we’re in trouble when grandma comes back, and they’re still not hitched.”
“Why does everyone treat her like the boogeyman?” Harry asked, genuinely curious.
“You’d better prepare yourself because when she shows up, she’s going to knock your socks off.”
The one person Caspian feared the most was Mrs. Carrington. Even though she was his grandmother, she never seemed to warm to him, always wearing a sharp, disapproving frown.
“Does anyone in your family play with a full deck?” Harry couldn’t help but make a snarky remark. “I’m second-guessing letting my mom marry into your clan. It’s like hopping from the frying pan into the fire.” Between Caspian, his dad, his mom, and his grandparents, Harry couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone in the family had their issues.
“My mom’s the only one I want, and she has to marry my dad!” Caspian insisted, his determination unwavering.
“That’s easier said than done,” Harry muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.
After hanging up, Harry couldn’t contain his irritation. “Caspian, the day I run into you, you’re getting an earful!” His decision was made. He couldn’t just sit around. He had to leave.
Caspian’s maternal grandparents were clearly on Orion’s side, and Harry couldn’t afford to stick around, being further influenced by them.
But his mom and Alaric were still in the early stages of their relationship, and Harry couldn’t interfere or ask Alaric to pick him up yet. That left him with only one option.
“Cormac, I need a rescue!”
Desperation laced Harry’s voice as he called Cormac. The line fell silent for a moment, and Harry thought maybe Cormac wouldn’t respond. But finally, Cormac answered, his tone steady but tinged with surprise.
“The prodigal son, Cormac, is back!” the staff at the Nash family estate murmured as they hurried to inform everyone.
Griffon, already in a bad mood, descended the stairs in his robe, his expression sour. “Finally remembered your way back, huh?” he grumbled, his irritation clear.
“Don’t be so harsh. He’s come back after all,” Mrs. Ravenna interjected quickly.
“Mom, I heard Caspian’s here,” Cormac said, addressing Mrs. Ravenna. “The kid tends to be restless at night, and I wouldn’t want him disturbing you or Dad. So I’ve come to take him.”
Griffon’s response was sarcastic. “I thought you’d come to your senses and were ready to make amends with us. Seems I was being overly sentimental.”
Harry, who had been listening intently from his room, pressed his eye against the small gap in the door. He could feel the tension between his uncle and grandfather. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken words and barely concealed bitterness.
“I don’t think I was wrong about the past,” Cormac stated firmly, then raised his voice toward the stairs, “Caspian! Let’s get out of here!”
“Coming, Cormac!” Harry shouted as he dashed out of his room.
Griffon’s face twisted in anger. “If this isn’t your home, don’t bother coming back!” he yelled.
“Griffon, please, soften your tone,” Mrs. Ravenna begged.
“Shut up and go to bed!” Griffon snapped.
“Mom, get some rest. I’ll visit when I can,” Cormac said, before picking Harry up in his arms and carrying him out to the car.
Once they were safely away from the house, Harry let out a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Cormac. You’re the real MVP.”
Cormac smirked, raising an eyebrow. “What’s going on with you? Not calling your dad but coming to me instead? I’m flattered, honestly.”
“I guess I just like you more. You’re the first person I think of when I need help,” Harry admitted.
Cormac laughed, genuinely amused. “Alright then.”
Harry’s curiosity couldn’t be contained. “Cormac, what’s the deal with you and Grandpa? Why can’t you two just get along?”
“That’s grown-up stuff, kid. It’s not your concern,” Cormac replied, shutting down the conversation.
“Fine, if you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t ask,” Harry said, nodding obediently. Cormac couldn’t help but smile fondly at how the kid had matured.
On Wednesday, Dr. Galatea finished her hospital shift and headed to Nexus Innovations, where she was scheduled for a physical therapy session with Alaric. This was her first time treating him.
“Dr. Galatea, Mr. Knight is in a meeting. He asked you to wait in the lounge,” Silas Moon informed her as he handed her a coffee before leaving.
“Thank you, Silas,” Galatea replied, taking a seat in the lounge.
The room was decorated similarly to the Knight family villa, with cool tones and sleek sophistication. A framed photograph of Alaric in military uniform caught her eye. ‘Alaric’s handsome, but in that uniform, he looks even more dashing—a truly magnetic presence,’ she thought. A Colonel? Had he not been medically discharged, he might have become a General by now.
Galatea took a book from the shelf and prepared herself for a long wait, remembering her previous visits.
Alaric entered the lounge just as she was absorbed in her book, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. She put the book down and stood up when she noticed him. “If you’re ready, we can get started,” she said.
“Sure,” Alaric replied.
“Take off your shirt and lie down on the bed.”
Alaric hesitated for a moment but complied, removing his shirt and lying down. As Galatea moved closer, the door suddenly burst open.
“Why aren’t you at your desk, kid? What are you up to here?” Cormac’s voice boomed as he barged in, only to freeze at the sight of Alaric on the bed. Quickly, he covered his eyes and blurted, “Sorry, bad timing!” before hastily shutting the door behind him.