Chapter 7
When Galatea arrived home, a warm and inviting feast awaited her, with Mia having prepared an impressive spread. Harry and Elisa greeted her with unusually good behavior.
“To celebrate Mom’s first day on the job, Mia made lots of yummy dishes, and we helped too!” Elisa’s face lit up with a smile, her dimples deepening, making her cherubic expression even more endearing. “It’s been a tough first day at work. Go wash up, and let’s eat,” Mia said with a warm, welcoming smile.
Galatea forced a tired smile, despite the growing discomfort gnawing at her. She nodded in agreement to keep the mood light. “Sure.”
The atmosphere at the dinner table was cozy, with the four of them enjoying the meal together.
“Mom, are there any handsome, wealthy bachelor doctors at the hospital?” Elisa asked, her curiosity piqued.
“If there are, Elisa and I can help you find one,” Harry chimed in, teasing.
“All you care about is stuff like that,” Galatea scolded lightly, tapping Harry on the head. “Starting tomorrow, you two are going to practice the piano every day until school starts.”
Both children immediately pouted, clearly dismayed by the announcement.
“Mom, we’re not really into the piano,” Harry protested.
“Yeah, Mom, we’re not exactly rolling in dough, so let’s not waste the money,” Elisa added.
Galatea fell silent. Convincing her children had always been a struggle.
“Seriously, Mom, didn’t you come back here to find us a dad?” Elisa asked, leaning in closer.
“I’ve already told you before, you don’t have a father,” Galatea replied gently, her heart heavy. She had been legally married to the man, but she had never met him. He’d been in a coma for three years when they married, and now, another six years had passed.
“Are we just conjured up from dust by God?” Harry joked, lightening the mood with a chuckle.
That comment made both Galatea and Mia laugh.
After dinner, the two younger ones obediently took their baths and settled down with books and Legos, leaving Galatea alone in the study.
Today had been her first day at Serenity Heights Medical Center, and she had been fired without even knowing where the obstetrics archive was! My son, you must wait for me; I will find you! Galatea thought determinedly.
Meanwhile, at the Knight residence, Caspian called out “Mom!” as if by telepathy, his dreams filled with visions of Galatea’s face.
“Caspian?” Alaric had stayed up all night by his side, and gently woke him when he began speaking in his sleep at daybreak.
Caspian slowly opened his eyes, still dazed, and looked past Alaric, only to realize that it had been a dream—his mother wasn’t there.
“Awake?” Alaric asked softly, his voice cautious, not wanting to upset him further.
During the night, Cormac had administered medication, and now Caspian’s alternate personality had fully subsided.
Caspian sat up slowly, his gaze falling on Alaric’s injured arm. A wave of guilt washed over him. “I’m sorry, Dad.”
Alaric glanced at his wound and reassured him, “It’s just a scratch, nothing serious.”
But Caspian remained downcast, clearly feeling as if he had made an unforgivable mistake. He stayed silent for a long while.
“I was wrong too, for losing my temper with you yesterday,” Alaric admitted softly.
“No, it was all my fault,” Caspian murmured, still refusing to lift his head.
“Let’s not dwell on the past, okay? Are you hungry?” Alaric asked gently. “What would you like to eat? I’ll make something for you.”
“I’m not hungry,” Caspian replied, still looking at Alaric. “Can I sleep a little longer?”
His dreams had been filled with Galatea’s warm embrace, a sensation he desperately wanted to hold onto. Would he be able to slip back into that dream if he continued to sleep?
“All right, get some more rest,” Alaric said softly. “I’ll make something delicious and wake you when it’s ready.”
“Thanks,” Caspian murmured.
Meanwhile, Galatea had spent a sleepless night, her thoughts consumed by Mrs. Marigold and her missing son.
The only leads she had to find her son were through Mrs. Marigold or Serenity Heights Medical Center. Finding Mrs. Marigold now seemed impossible, especially since her suburban mansion had been demolished. With Mrs. Marigold a dead end, Galatea had no choice but to focus on the medical center. She couldn’t leave until she uncovered something there.
Determined, she decided to try reaching out to Alaric again.
So, the next morning, she left early. Harry, waking up to her departure, hurried to awaken Elisa, who was sleeping in the bunk below him.
“Elisa, Elisa!” Harry whispered urgently.
“What?” Elisa groaned, barely opening her eyes.
“Mom’s left early again, but it doesn’t seem like she’s going to work. Should we follow her and see what she’s up to?”
“I’m staying. I need sleep,” Elisa mumbled, closing her eyes again.
Harry glanced out the window. Galatea was already walking quickly, so he hurriedly got dressed and followed.
Since the day his mother had planned to return to their home country, Harry had sensed something was off. She was hiding something, and he was determined to uncover it.
Galatea hailed a cab, and Harry, not far behind, did the same. When they reached their destination, Harry was in awe.
“What a luxurious mansion community,” Harry marveled. It looked like the kind of place only the wealthiest people lived. What was his mom doing here? Could his father be living in one of these mansions?
Galatea arrived outside the Knight family’s villa and took a deep breath, muttering to herself, “You have to be patient to find your son. Don’t pick a fight, just bear with it.”
After mentally preparing herself, she rang the doorbell. Liona answered the door.
“Hello, does Mr. Knight live here?” Galatea asked politely, knowing she had to tread carefully.
“Yes, how can I help you?” Liona inquired.
“My name is Galatea. I’m a doctor from Serenity Heights Medical Center. Mr. Knight had an examination with us earlier, and I was in charge of it. I’m here to deliver his medical report,” Galatea explained, knowing that without this pretext, she wouldn’t be allowed inside.
“Oh, you’re Dr. Galatea? Please, come in,” Liona said, recognizing her as a doctor from Serenity Heights Medical Center.
“Mr. Knight, Dr. Galatea from Serenity Heights Medical Center is here with your medical report,” Liona called out to Alaric, who was busy in the kitchen, preparing food for Caspian.
Alaric emerged from the kitchen, dressed casually with an apron on.
Galatea froze for a moment. Did this man actually cook for himself?
“Why did you let her in?” Alaric spat, his tone laced with hostility as he saw Galatea.
“Dr. Galatea said she came to deliver your medical report, so I let her in,” Liona quickly explained, trying to ease the tension.
“Get out!” Alaric snapped at Galatea, his voice exceptionally harsh.