Mommy，We Got a Husband
Chapter 19 From Now On, You're My Fiancée!

In the hotel room, Alaric had since recovered, his face no longer ashen as it had been.

"Are you all right?" Galatea asked.

Lifting his gaze to meet Galatea's, Alaric warned her with a threatening tone, "Don't breathe a word of what just happened to anyone, or I'll make you pay!"

The three years he spent in a coma were no secret, but the world was unaware of his chronic condition. Given his current status, he had numerous rivals; revealing his weakness was not an option.

Only his family and personal doctors knew about the episodes-doctors who would respond in timely rescues. This was the first time it had happened in public.

"You think too poorly of me," Galatea reassured him. "I am a doctor, and I respect doctor-patient confidentiality. I promise to keep this secret, but I have one request; let me continue my job at Serenity Heights Medical Center." "You can return to work on one condition," Alaric said gravely, "From this moment onward, you will be known as my fiancée!"

"Alaric, you're a married man with kids, and you dare make such a proposal to me? You're utterly shameless!" she exclaimed.

"She's not my wife, and I'm not going to explain it to you in detail. If you want your job back at Serenity Heights, you'll follow my terms," he demanded.

After years of pretending to be Orion's husband for Caspian's sake, he was fed up. Now that it was evident there was no love between Caspian and Galatea, and it was clear Caspian didn't care for her, it was time to end this charade. If it were just about ending things with Orion, Alaric wouldn't hesitate or care about the fallout, but the Nash family was involved.

The Knights had been longstanding friends with the Nash dynasty. Alaric's father passed away early, and Griffon Nash almost became a second father to him. To cut ties with Orion completely, Alaric knew he needed a legitimate reason.

And Galatea was "that" reason. Plus, Caspian was smitten with her, making her the perfect candidate.

"You should be ashamed of yourself. I won't agree to this!" she retaliated.

"You don't really have a choice," Alaric's tone was dominant as he stood in the Arizona heat. "If I were you, I wouldn't refuse. Being my fiancée comes with only benefits for you. Don't be ungrateful."

Galatea believed that. When she was a socialite surrounded by opulence, it seemed everyone was eager to help. But in her fall from grace, not a single friend stayed. With the title of Alaric's fiancée, her investigation at the Serenity Heights Medical Center about her child's birth would be much easier. "Fine, I agree."

"At least you're sensible," he said, pleased.

"A deal is a deal. I won't claim to be the best doctor, but my skills are above average. Pretending to be your fiancée and offering my medical services for free... you're getting a bargain," she said in agreement.

Alaric chuckled, "You make a fair point." After picking up his phone and handing it to her, he ordered, "Put your number in. Be on call 24/7. I'll contact you whenever needed."

Was she his pretend fiancée or an on-call nanny?

Regardless, she had to locate her son. Taking the phone, she entered her number and handed it back.

"That's enough for tonight. I need to rest. You can leave," he said abruptly.

Though Galatea was silent, her thoughts screamed, 'This man is so infuriating!'

"I'll honor our agreement. I hope you won't go back on your word," Galatea reminded him.

"Don't worry, I keep my promises. Tomorrow, you can return to work at Serenity Heights Medical Center, and no one there will dare give you any trouble."

With that, Alaric walked to the foyer, swung the door open with neither warmth nor politeness; and said bluntly, "Out!"

"OK, goodnight, Mr. Knight," she replied.

After Galatea left, Alaric found himself sighing in relief. Why did he suddenly lose control like that? 'If Galatea hadn't been there, the consequences could've been unthinkable.' Exhausted, he sprawled across the bed, eyes shutting as he slipped into sleep.

Meantime, Harry couldn't find his way to slumber. No matter whether Orion was Caspian's biological mother or stepmother, he was determined to push her out of the picture for good. His mother deserved the top spot.

The following morning, Alaric drove over to pick up Caspian from the McCall residence. Upon his arrival, Orion rushed down the stairs. "Alaric, you're here?" she asked.

"Where's Caspian?" Alaric responded and his voice was as cold as ever.

"Dad, I'm here!" Harry dashed out of the bathroom, leaping into Alaric's arms. "Dad, I missed you so much! I even dreamed about you last night."

Alaric shared Cormac's sentiments; ever since the boy had taken that tumble, his personality had softened significantly he was far more agreeable now.

"I missed you, too," said Alaric, lifting Harry into a hug.

"Dad, mom yelled at me again yesterday. She even tried to grab my collar and hit me," Harry tattled.

"You little liar! How dare you!" Orion was livid, fuming as Harry tattled the moment Alaric showed up.

"I'm not lying, Dad! If you don't believe me, ask Cormac," Harry insisted, turning to Cormac, who had just emerged from a room. "Cormac, isn't that, right?"

Cormac found himself at a sudden loss for words.

"Cormac, since it's just you and me, I'll be straightforward," Alaric cut to the chase. "You know the score with your sister and me. She had a child when I was unconscious, and I had no choice but to accept. But you can't force love. We've played pretend as husband and wife for years, all for Caspian's sake. But it's clear she's not fit to be a mother. With her around, Caspian's health will only worsen. It's time to end this charade. I hope you can understand."

After all, they had grown up like brothers, and Alaric had laid it all out for Cormac.

Caught in reflection, Cormac remained silent. Objectively, Alaric had never truly loved Orion, who had a child without his consent.

To use Caspian to tie him down was nothing short of moral blackmail. Yet, on the flip side, Orion was his flesh and blood.

She'd left a soaring career in showbiz to bear his child, stood by his side, waiting for him to awaken, only for it to come to this-it was indeed a cruel turn of fate.

"Alaric, is it because I wasn't a good mother?" Orion's eyes swelled with tears of grievance as she looked at him, questioning, "I gave up my career to have a child for you when it seemed like you might never wake up. Through all those years you were in a coma, I never left your side. Surely, that counts for something, even if I haven't been perfect. Is that why you're now casting me aside? I can't accept that!"

"I've already fallen for someone else. Is that reason enough?" Alaric said with unwavering conviction.