Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard) novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49 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-

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Chapter 49 Family Portrait

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.

*****

In the kitchen, a trusted cook recommended by Mabel was busy 2/7

preparing dinner.

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Chapter 49 Family Portrait

5 min leff

Meanwhile, Alistair was in the living room with Eloise, drawing together.

The soft scratch of pencil on paper filled the room with a soothing, steady sound.

Eloise loved drawing. Whenever she had a spare moment, she’d grab her pencils and start sketching.

Caroline used to work so much 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, she seemed even happier now.

Because now there was a little extra love around.

Eloise started by drawing a little girl with pigtails. “That’s me.”

Then she drew an elegant lady with long, flowing hair. “That’s Mommy.”

Finally, she drew a tall, handsome man. Not that Alistair was bragging, but the kid clearly had talent–each line full of life, even

if a bit childish.

Eloise pointed at the handsome figure and asked, “Daddy, do you know who that is?”

Alistair pretended to think hard. “Is it me? But he looks way too handsome to be me…..”

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Eloise giggled. “You got it! You’re so smart!”

5 min left

Alistair played along, dramatically gasping, “You made me look so good–I nearly didn’t recognize myself!”

Eloise shook her head with a smile. “No way, Daddy. You’re a

thousand times–no, a million times–more handsome than that!”

Alistair’s heart swelled, as if someone had poured honey straight

into it.

Being a dad to a daughter was pretty incredible.

Not long before dinner, Caroline came home from work.

Unless there was something major, she rarely stayed late–she

always made sure to be home for her daughter.

And now, with someone else waiting for her too, there was no way

she’d be working overtime.

She changed into comfy clothes and walked over, carrying that

soft, familiar scent. “What are you two drawing?”

Eloise beamed. “Mommy, look!”

Caroline examined the picture for a moment and then smiled

knowingly. “Looks like a family portrait to me.”

A family portrait?

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Chapter 49 Family Portrait

The words hit Alistair harder than he expected.

** 5 min left

Someone who had always craved a real family… yeah, that phrase

landed deep.

Eloise blinked. “What’s a family portrait?”

Caroline put one arm around her daughter and casually rested the

other across Alistair’s shoulder.

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

crying out loud.

He forced himself to relax.

Caroline spoke in that soft, warm voice she reserved for Eloise,

“It’s a picture of you, Mommy, and Daddy–all of us together.

That’s what a family portrait means.”

Eloise’s eyes sparkled. “So… we’re really a family now, right? Like

in the picture?”

Caroline gave a confident nod. “That’s right. The three of us,

always.”

For a split second, Alistair got the feeling Caroline wasn’t just

saying that to make the kid happy. She meant it.

Or maybe I’m just reading too much into things.