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

Chapter 43 Family Portrait

2/7

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.

*****

kitchen, a trusted cook recommended by Mabel

43 Family Portrait

3/7

was in the living room with Eloise, drawing

on paper filled the room with a

had a spare moment, she'd grab

Eloise company. Now, however, it was Alistair

there was a little

started by drawing a little girl with pigtails.

she drew an elegant lady with long, flowing hair.

she drew a tall, handsome man. Not that Alistair was bragging, but the kid clearly had

asked, "Daddy, do

it me? But he looks way

Chapter 43 Family Portrait

got it! You're

"You made me look

shook her head with a smile. "No way, Daddy.

times-no, a million times-more

that!"

if

into it.

dad to a daughter

Caroline came home from

was something major, she rarely stayed late-she always made

home

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

changed into comfy clothes and walked over, carrying

Eloise beamed. "Mommy, look!"

for a moment and then smiled knowingly. "Looks like a

A family portrait?

Chapter 43 Family Portrait

words hit Alistair harder than he

had always craved a real

"What's a

5/7

her daughter and casually rested

quickly reminded himself-this wasn't a big deal.

himself

That's what a family portrait means." Eloise's eyes

just saying that to make the kid happy. She

reading too

Chapter 43 Family Portrait

out a quiet

6/7

grip. Don't let this warmth fool you. No matter how good it feels,