Chapter 3 The Opportunity

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Inside the supermarket, a small indoor playground buzzed with the chatter of children.

A little girl nestled in Alistair's arms, her tiny frame soft and warm, carrying the faint, sweet scent. She was engrossed in stacking colorful blocks, her focus unwavering.

Alistair sat patiently by her side, waiting for her mother to arrive.

For once, he wasn't being dragged around by that little tyrant, nor was he stuck wearing an apron while juggling dinner prep. For the first time in years, he had all the time in the world.

"Look! Check out my castle!" the girl chirped, her mood shifting as quickly as only a child's can. Moments ago, she'd been sobbing, and now, her face lit up with a radiant smile.

Maybe it was knowing her mom was on the way, or maybe it was the comfort of this kind stranger's presence, but her fear had melted away. She beamed, her joy infectious.

Alistair didn't hold back his praise. "Wow, that's incredible! Look at my castle, it's nowhere near as good as yours."

Pointing proudly at her creation, the girl declared, "This is my castle. I'm the princess, my mommy's the queen, and we rule it together!"

Chapter 3 The Opportunity

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She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with innocence. "Wanna live with us? I can invite you to stay in our castle!"

Before Alistair could respond, a middle-aged woman stormed over, muttering under her breath, "You little troublemaker, running off like that! I've been looking everywhere!" She reached for the girl, her grip rough and impatient.

Alistair's reflexes kicked in. He gently shielded the girl, pulling her out of reach.

He knew that kind of tug would hurt her.

The woman glared at him, barking, "Who are you?" Then she turned to the girl, impatiently waving her over. "Come on! I've still got dinner to make. Stop messing around here!"

The girl clung tighter to Alistair, clearly frightened.

The woman's voice sharpened. "Who the hell are you? Hand her over right now, or I'll call the cops and tell them you kidnapped her!"

Alistair stood his ground, his tone calm but firm. "You've got some nerve. You're the one who lost her, and now you're blaming others?"

If this had happened with Daniel, Rebecca wouldn't have let him off the hook, and he wouldn't have forgiven himself either.

"Mommy!"

Chapter 3 The Opportunity

The girl suddenly wriggled free and bolted toward a young woman, throwing herself into her arms with a gleeful squeal.

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of beautiful

thought she looked better than any celebrity

seen.

shift the blame. "Ms. Ashbourne, this man snatched Eloise while I

girl interrupted, her voice fierce.

you disappeared into that big crowd. I looked for you forever and couldn't

young woman's face was a mask of ice.

was in the wrong, but still tried to argue. "Fine, but you owe me this month's

Eloise ran into someone kind. If

Defeated, the woman slunk

away.

matter

Chapter 3 The Opportunity

woman lowered her gaze, tapped out

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nanny from every

a directive to blacklist the careless

time to

the "go" meant anymore.

had nowhere to

check

waiting for

Ashbourne, this little mischief-maker's

The

in front of him, her eyes locking

gazes met, and Alistair

looked at him felt oddly familiar, like a memory just out

her hand. Her fingers were slender, her skin smooth, and her nails neatly trimmed and clean.

Chapter 3 The Opportunity

it before, but now, he found this natural

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her hand briefly. Her fingers were cool to the touch, and

of man to be swayed by

he'd spent years keeping his

character trumped appearances every

was impossible to ignore. Even the pickiest critic would struggle

wasn't wearing makeup, yet she was stunning

realized her allure surpassed that. She carried an aura of authority, a quiet power that commanded respect, like a queen. Her decisive handling of the nanny only

a small cake, occasionally glancing up at

reach

was, for most people, a small act of

Chapter 3 The Opportunity

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