Chapter 6
As Galatea was preparing to leave work, the cup slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor. Ever since Alaric had left, she had felt inexplicably restless, a nagging anxiety settling in her chest. It was as though she had a telepathic connection with her child, sensing that something was wrong with him. Could Harry or Elisa be in trouble? She reached for her phone to call Mia, but before she could dial, a nurse knocked and entered.
“Dr. Galatea, Galen has requested to see you in his office.”
“All right,” Galatea replied, tucking her phone away. She quickly swept up the shards of the broken cup before heading toward Galen’s office. “You wanted to see me, Galen?”
Galen’s brow was furrowed with concern. “Galatea, I can’t stress enough how important it was for you to take good care of Mr. Knight. How did you end up upsetting him?”
“Upsetting him? Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black!” Galatea replied, her voice defensive. “It’s him who’s been calling the cops and causing a disturbance. I didn’t provoke him—he’s been deliberately troubling me.”
“Excuses won’t do,” Galen cut her off. “Mr. Knight personally called and demanded the hospital fire you. He’s made the request, and I can’t protect your position.”
Galatea was stunned. Did Alaric really want her fired? What a petty jerk!
The reason Alaric had made that call was due to his frustration with Caspian. The young boy’s defiance had only worsened, throwing things and crying out for that woman to be his mother. His emotions spiraled into a complete breakdown. Fortunately, Cormac arrived just in time to administer a sedative to Caspian.
After hanging up with Galen, Alaric returned to the bedroom just as Cormac stepped out. The doctor placed a finger to his lips in a silent gesture. Peering through the crack of the door, Alaric saw Caspian asleep on the bed. He carefully closed the door and retreated to his study.
“Upset by a six-year-old child to this extent? Is it really worth it?” Cormac asked, his voice tinged with concern.
The Knights and the Nashs were old family friends, and Alaric and Cormac had grown up together. In all the years Cormac had known him, he’d never seen Alaric so riled up. Without a word, Alaric lit a cigarette and took a long drag.
“What exactly happened?” Cormac asked, startled. “Caspian’s been fine all year—how could he have such an episode all of a sudden?”
“Ask your sister about that!” Alaric snapped. Caspian’s condition, as far as Alaric was concerned, could be traced to Orion’s influence. He couldn’t understand what she might have done or said to provoke such an extreme reaction from Caspian. “I wouldn’t get anything out of her,” Cormac replied with a more serious tone. “But seriously, this sudden episode indicates that his condition is worsening. If we don’t address it, his alter ego will solidify, leading to complete dissociation.”
“So, what’s the cure for that?” Alaric asked, his anger still simmering beneath the surface, though concern began to overtake it. “Caspian’s been able to control it with medication until now. Why did it happen today?”
Cormac seemed baffled. “You need to talk to Orion. Figure out what she said or did to trigger this.”
“The trigger wasn’t her this time,” Alaric responded coldly.
Cormac blinked, confused. “You just said it was your sister, and now you’re saying it wasn’t? Isn’t that contradictory?”
Alaric shook his head. The truth was, the cause of Caspian’s breakdown did involve Orion, but the actual trigger had been Galatea. Caspian had reacted to her as if under some spell, desperately wanting her to be his mother.
“Caspian met a stranger and suddenly wanted her to be his mom?” Cormac asked, taken aback by Alaric’s explanation. “Maybe in his mind, Orion isn’t the mother he wants, and this woman represents the ideal mother for him.”
“Stop with the analysis!” Alaric snapped. “I’m asking you, can Caspian be cured?”
“The best approach is to meet Caspian’s psychological needs,” Cormac advised calmly.
“Meet his psychological needs?” Alaric frowned. “How do you propose we do that? Let some random woman become Caspian’s mom?”
“Of course not!” Cormac hastily objected. “Alaric, you can’t betray Orion like that. I know you don’t have romantic feelings for her, but she’s cared about you since childhood. She stayed by your side during those three years you were in a coma.”
“Mind your own business!” Alaric retorted sharply, his irritation clear. He turned and stormed out of the study, heading straight for Caspian’s bedroom.
“Some nerve,” Cormac muttered under his breath as he left the villa.
No sooner had he stepped outside than a Maserati blocked his path. Orion emerged from the vehicle, hurrying to join him in the car.
“What’s Alaric’s deal now? Still mad at me?” Orion asked, having been waiting for him.
“No wonder Caspian doesn’t warm up to you,” Cormac replied, starting the car. “The kid’s sick, and you’re more concerned about Alaric than your son.”
“With you as his miracle doctor, Caspian will be fine,” Orion retorted, her tone defensive.
“Where to?” Cormac asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Home’s full of nagging parents,” she said. “Let’s go to your place.”
“All right then.” As they drove toward his private villa, Cormac couldn’t shake off the questions Alaric had raised. He turned to Orion, his voice more serious now. “Orion, truth time. Is Caspian really yours and Alaric’s child?”
Orion tensed, a flicker of anxiety crossing her face before it quickly faded. “No brainer—of course, he’s our son.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about the pregnancy or the birth? It’s a big deal,” Cormac pressed.
“You stormed off, clashed with Dad, and left the country. Why should I have told you about the baby?” Orion snapped back.
“Fair enough, my mistake.” Cormac sighed, recalling that Orion had indeed vanished from the public eye that year, fueling rumors that she had taken time off for maternity leave.
It seemed his doubts had been unwarranted.
“Just one more thing,” Cormac said, a thought lingering in his mind. “Orion, you’ve surprised me. Going through childbirth for him without even knowing if the kid would make it… That’s commendable.”
“Stop it, will you?” Orion’s patience wore thin. “One more word, and I’m out of this car.”
“Fine, I’ll zip it,” Cormac conceded, keeping quiet for the rest of the ride.