Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 19 The Temptation of Home

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Despite having Alistair looking after Eloise, Caroline still felt an urgent pull toward home. She finished her work as quickly as possible and rushed back.

Beyond seeing her precious Eloise, coming home now carried an additional temptation for her-Alistair.

Caroline couldn't figure out the reason, no matter how much she pondered.

Alistair was watching a cartoon with Eloise-a well-received animated film.

Even kindergarteners had homework, though the amount was so minimal it could be practically ignored.

Alistair and Eloise sat together on the sofa, barefoot, his large feet contrasting with her tiny ones.

Eloise cuddled against him dependently while Alistair casually draped his arm over her shoulders. Their eyes remained fixed on the television screen, wholly absorbed in what they were watching.

The scene was so heartwarming that Caroline unconsciously paused in her tracks, afraid her presence might disturb their

Chapter 19 The Temptation of Home peaceful moment.

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As she watched, Alistair seemed to sense something and turned his head toward her.

Eloise noticed Caroline and said, "Mommy!" in her sweet, clear

voice.

Caroline approached them. "Did I startle you?" she asked, directing the question at Alistair.

Alistair gave her a confused look.

Caroline's expression remained serious, showing no signs of teasing.

Perhaps my gaze had lingered on her a second too long?

Alistair was quietly annoyed with himself.

He hoped Caroline wouldn't think he was the type who couldn't tear his eyes away from a beautiful woman. And he certainly didn't want her to see him as some delicate flower who turned pale at the slightest disturbance.

Alistair instinctively wanted to protect his image before her, despite not usually caring what others thought of him. "Sorry, I didn't notice when you came in. I was just caught off guard," he explained.

Caroline glanced at him, then couldn't help but look again a few seconds later. Chapter 19 The Temptation of Home

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At first, Alistair found her behavior puzzling, but he quickly remembered what he'd done that afternoon...

Sure enough, Caroline said, "You look much healthier now, like before."

not

malnourished, she thought, but didn't

tell

exceptional ability with anyone, not even those closest to

been resting well these

accepted his explanation

get

and everyone who'd been there said it was

to drive. After dinner, they could exercise while walking home leisurely and killing two

her cartoon bear purse slung over her shoulder, holding Alistair's hand in one and Caroline's in

19 The Temptation

weather had warmed noticeably

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breeze carried a pleasant freshness and a

husband and wife couldn't change the

Eloise, the marriage license that had forcibly brought them together would have left them feeling awkward

for its grand opening. Fortunately, they had arrived early; otherwise, there

someone remarked. "Her restaurant is thriving. Among all the girls who grew up together, I'd say

don't be so modest. You simply didn't want your daughter to struggle. Otherwise, Rebecca could have built an impressive business of her own as

had already reserved a lovely table at the pizza place, walked in,

away and smiled. "I

*****

Home Rebecca

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her to bring the kids and

Cordelia inevitably wanted

in person.

she had already kicked

regretted her

paid him off and asked him to continue the charade. That would have saved her from this current predicament of

that evening, not daring

"I have a new daddy now" to

could stall for at most another week. After that,

revealing the truth

anger would be temporary. Even when she had gotten

The

threatened to disown her, hadn't they eventually accepted

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having dinner with Cordelia,

supposed to be supporting Vivienne's restaurant today?" Cordelia asked him. "Why

spotting Rebecca, he blurted out, "What are you doing here? Who's having pizza with

name "Alistair" now.

"Yes, at the pizza place. If he wasn't with you, who else

you didn't make a

head firmly. "My eyesight isn't that bad. How could I

complicated look. "Rebecca, what's going