Chapter 19 The Temptation of Home 1/8 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 . 2/8 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 3/8 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 He had looked malnourished , she thought , but didn't say . Alistair definitely couldn't tell her the truth . He couldn't share his exceptional ability with anyone , not even those closest to him . They'd think he was insane . " I guess I've been resting well these past couple of days , " he replied . Caroline accepted his explanation without question . They decided to get pizza that evening . There was a new place that had just opened , and everyone who'd been there said it was pretty good . The restaurant was in a downtown plaza , so they wouldn't need to drive . After dinner , they could exercise while walking home leisurely and killing two birds with one stone . Eloise bounced down the stairs with her cartoon bear purse slung over her shoulder , holding Alistair's hand in one and Caroline's in the other . Chapter 19 The Temptation of Home The weather had warmed noticeably after the spring rain . 4/8 The breeze carried a pleasant freshness and a subtle fragrance from Caroline . Even their legal status as husband and wife couldn't change the fact that they barely knew each other . If not for Eloise , the marriage license that had forcibly brought them together would have left them feeling awkward during their time alone . The pizza place was doing great business for its grand opening . Fortunately , they had arrived early ; otherwise , there wouldn't have been any seats left . " Vivienne has quite the clever mind , " someone remarked . " Her restaurant is thriving . Among all the girls who grew up together , I'd say she's the most promising . " " Mr. Whitfield , 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 well . Mr. Whitfield , did you spot someone you know ? " Nathaniel , who had already reserved a lovely table at the pizza place , walked in , surrounded by his entourage . His attention . was suddenly drawn to a young man's back . He shifted his gaze away and smiled . " I was mistaken , " he said . ***** Chapter 19 The Temptation of Home Rebecca was in a bind . 5/8 Cordelia had asked her to bring the kids and Alistair home for a visit today . Rebecca knew that Cordelia inevitably wanted to lecture Alistair in person . But she had already kicked Alistair out ! Rebecca regretted her actions now . When she had made Alistair leave to make room for Richard , she should have paid him off and asked him to continue the charade . That would have saved her from this current predicament of desperately trying to handle Cordelia . She went alone that evening , not daring to bring Daniel . She feared her guileless son might blurt out something like " I have a new daddy now " to Cordelia , which would expose everything . She could stall for at most another week . After that , she'd have to come clean no matter what … The thought of revealing the truth made her nervous , Nathaniel and Cordelia would certainly be angry , but she was their only child . Their anger would be temporary . Even when she had gotten pregnant before marriage , despite how much Chapter 19 The Temptation of Home they cared about appearances and threatened to disown her , hadn't they eventually accepted her back ? 6/8 While she was having dinner with Cordelia , Nathaniel walked in . " Weren't you supposed to be supporting Vivienne's restaurant today ? " Cordelia asked him . " Why are you back so early ? " " Got an urgent call and came back for some documents , " Nathaniel replied . Then , spotting Rebecca , he blurted out , " What are you doing here ? Who's having pizza with Alistair then ? " Rebecca was particularly sensitive to the name " Alistair " now . " Dad , you saw Alistair ? " she asked anxiously . Nathaniel nodded . " Yes , at the pizza place . If he wasn't with you , who else would he be with ? " " Are you sure you didn't make a mistake ? " Cordelia questioned . Nathaniel shook his head firmly . " My eyesight isn't that bad . How could I mistake Rebecca's husband ? " Cordelia gave Rebecca a complicated look . " Rebecca , what's going on here ? " When Rebecca had arrived alone earlier , she'd claimed that Daniel was demanding to go to the arcade , and Alistair had taken him there . Cordelia had even criticized her then , saying she shouldn't spoil Chapter 19 The Temptation of Home the child so much or he'd grow up thinking he could do whatever he wanted . 7/8 Thinking about how she'd gone to Rebecca's house earlier to deliver caviar only to find it looking like it had been ransacked , combined with Rebecca's unusual behavior , Cordelia's expression turned serious . " Rebecca , what's really happening ? Tell me the truth . Has Alistair done something to hurt you ? " Vivienne was swamped with work . With too many customers and insufficient staff , she had jumped in herself to help despite being the owner . In the middle of the rush , she suddenly stopped in her tracks . She had just glimpsed someone familiar ! Uncertain , she looked again . Vivienne's eyes widened in surprise . It really was Alistair ! Yet on second glance , she couldn't help but wonder - was it truly Alistair ? He seemed different ! He looked vibrant and energetic , in much better shape than Chapter 19 The Temptation of Home someone who had been through such hardship . As Vivienne hesitated , about to take a third look , her phone vibrated in her pocket . 8/8 Outside the restaurant , Rebecca got straight to the point , furiously . " Where's Alistair ? Tell him to come out and face me ! " Vivienne could only sigh internally . She no longer bothered reminding this self - centered princess that Alistair wasn't her errand boy anymore , jumping at her every command . Instead , she tried to reason politely , " Rebecca , I'm extremely busy right now . Can we talk about this later , please ? " Rebecca let out a contemptuous laugh . " If I'd known you were this fond of him , I would have handed him over to you ages ago . You'd probably be sick of him by now , instead of being so clingy you won't even let me see him . What , are you afraid I'll steal him . back ? Don't forget , he's the man I dumped . "