Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 43 Family Portrait

"Alistair married someone else?"

Nathaniel had just gotten home from work when he heard the news. He froze. "Are you sure? That can't be right."

Cordelia sighed. "He told Eva himself. She said she ran into him outside the kindergarten-he was picking up a little girl. The girl even called him Daddy. And Danny mentioned today that he saw Alistair picking her up a few days ago and telling him not to call him Daddy anymore."

Nathaniel went quiet for a while, thinking back to how cold Alistair had been the last time he tried to reach him. That conversation had been so final it practically sealed any chance of reconciling with Rebecca.

Eventually, he said, "They're divorced. If he's remarried, that's his own business."

Cordelia grew anxious. "How can you say that? If he really has moved on, what about Rebecca? What about Danny?"

Nathaniel sank onto the couch with a tired sigh. "He was with Rebecca for six years, and she never really saw what was good about him. Maybe they just weren't meant to be."

Cordelia frowned. "That isn't fair. Back then, she didn't see it because she didn't have anything to compare him to-kind of

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like how I used to pick at him all the time. But now, after seeing what Richard's like, I actually think Alistair was the only one worth trusting. Can't you try to talk some sense into him?"

Nathaniel shook his head. "Is this really on us? It's between them. Us pushing for something Rebecca might not even want... it won't change anything."

Cordelia fell silent.

He had a point.

They'd been clinging to the hope that Alistair might come back- but had anyone really asked Rebecca what she wanted?

Would she really choose that other life over her own family?

Cordelia's heart sank.

As a mother, she never wanted to see her daughter caught in this

mess.

But because she was her mother, she felt compelled to help Rebecca see Alistair

for who he really was-even if it meant being the bad guy.

If Rebecca wouldn't come around, Cordelia would eventually

have to take a hard stand.

*****

cook recommended by Mabel

43 Family

3/7

living room with Eloise, drawing

paper filled the room with a soothing,

had a spare moment, she'd grab her pencils and start

that Mabel would keep Eloise company. Now, however, it was Alistair by her side. The person had changed, but Eloise's smile hadn't—if anything,

a little

drawing a little girl with

an elegant lady with long,

Alistair was bragging, but the kid clearly had talent-each line full of life, even if a bit

and asked, "Daddy,

"Is it me? But he

Chapter 43 Family Portrait

"You got it!

along, dramatically gasping, "You made me look so good-I

head with a smile. "No way,

times-no, a million

that!"

heart swelled, as if

into it.

to a daughter was pretty

Caroline came home from

major, she rarely

home for her

else waiting for her too, there was no way she'd be

comfy clothes and walked over, carrying that soft, familiar scent. "What are

Eloise beamed. "Mommy, look!"

examined the picture for a moment and then smiled knowingly. "Looks like a family portrait

A family portrait?

Chapter 43 Family Portrait

hit Alistair harder than

craved a real family... yeah, that phrase

"What's

5/7

one arm around her daughter and casually rested the other

up for a second, then quickly reminded himself-this wasn't a big deal. Just an arm. They'd held hands before, for

forced himself

Daddy-all of us together. That's what a family portrait means." Eloise's eyes sparkled. "So... we're

Alistair got the feeling Caroline wasn't just saying that

just reading too

Chapter 43 Family Portrait

out a

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your grip. Don't let this warmth fool you. No