Chapter 169 How She Recharged

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Alistair had been pacing the lounge like a man under siege. In reality, Caroline had only been gone for maybe thirteen minutes, but it felt like half a lifetime.

He couldn't shake the image playing in his mind, Caroline and Gordon locked in a cold war of wills. As strong as she was, she wasn't Gordon's equal.

Alistair started pacing faster.

Wikipedia told him all about Gordon's career, his rags-to-riches story, his contributions to America's economy. But it said nothing about his temper.

What if he lost it? What if Caroline stood her ground-like she always did-and pushed too far? Would he yell at her? Would he... hit her?

Alistair's imagination spun out so wildly that, for a second, he could almost see it: Gordon locking her in a room out of spite. Eloise sobbing for her mom while he stood helpless, begging for their family to be reunited.

He shook his head hard.

What the hell am I thinking?

None of that was going to happen. No matter who Gordon

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Chapter 169 How She Recharged

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thought he was, Alistair wouldn't let anyone tear their family apart.

He couldn't take it anymore. He flung the door open and nearly ran straight into Caroline.

She looked perfectly composed. "Where were you off to, babe?"

The moment he saw her, his heart settled. "What kind of meeting lasts that long?" Caroline raised a brow. "That long?"

She checked her watch. Just over thirteen minutes had passed since she left.

And yet, without glancing at the clock, she too had felt like it had been longer. Not a second of it felt right being apart from him.

Alistair gave her a quick once-over. She looked exactly like her usual self, but something felt... off.

He reached up and gently rubbed her head. "You tired? I'll go grab you some coffee."

move, she grabbed his arm and stopped him. And without another word, she leaned into him, burying herself in

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How

in. He held her tight.

mumbled into his chest, "I'm okay. Just wanted

you."

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warmth from him, to recharge in the only way that worked.

for a while, quiet and steady. Eventually, she pulled back, stood on her toes, and kissed him lightly

turned and sat down at her desk like nothing had happened, but

time to pick up Eloise, so he grabbed his

wore one of the dresses he'd bought

backpack bounced as she skipped

"Daddy!"

nearly every day, but Eloise still

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How She

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was always pure, always full-throttle. He

little when she spotted her classmates. "Daddy, I'm a big girl

her toward the car. "You'll always be Daddy's little girl. But yeah, someday, when I'm too old

Mommy are never gonna get old!

it's just how life works.

set her down beside the car, she

up

people live forever. That way,

added, "Oh! And I'll invent something that makes people young again too. I'll make Great-Grandma's wrinkles

her with a smile, told her

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How

(2) 17 min

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drifted to Mabel, still in the

Eloise wasn't to know about her condition. If she

at once-Paige's venom, Leo's hopes for Miley, Gordon's disapproval, and Caroline..... smiling like always but weighed down

knew her too well by now. Knew that even when she was perfectly composed, he

hurting. And she didn't want to worry him. He

that.

it all my

if it

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