Chapter 22 A Chance " Rebecca , I've been back for three days now . When can we go see your parents ? " Richard asked . " Let's wait a bit longer ! " Rebecca blurted out without thinking . " Why do we need to wait ? " The smile on Richard's face slowly faded . " Rebecca , don't you want to spend your life with me ? " Rebecca stared at him helplessly . The tender look in Richard's eyes intensified , becoming almost tangible . " Rebecca , let's get married , " he said as he pulled an elegant , small velvet box from his pocket . Even without opening it , Rebecca knew exactly what was inside . Her heart raced with confusion . She didn't understand what was happening to her . It was the scene she had fantasized about countless times in her mind , yet now that it was actually happening , she inexplicably wanted to run away . She mumbled her excuses . " It's not the right time yet , Rick . Listen to me . My parents still don't know I'm divorced . Let's wait a little longer . I'll tell them soon , okay ? " Richard's loving gaze faltered , his expression wounded . " Why do Chapter 22 A Chance we need to wait ? We're going to be together eventually … Rebecca , don't you want to be with me anymore ? " Rebecca panicked . 2/8 How could she not want to be with Richard ? From the first moment she saw him , her entire heart had belonged completely . to him . She dreamed of marrying him , but the timing wasn't right . That's what she told Richard and what she kept telling herself . " You don't understand , Rick . Six years ago , my parents were furious when I brought Alistair home to meet them . Especially my dad he nearly beat Alistair to death ! They wouldn't spare you if they found out you're Danny's real father . I'm only trying to protect you … " Richard's expression softened . No one understood better than Richard how much Rebecca cared for him . Years ago , after their one reckless night together , he'd fled , fearing exposure would ruin his future . Though Rebecca resented and hated him for it , she ultimately kept waiting for his return , never giving up hope . As for Alistair , he was merely a pawn Rebecca used to make Richard jealous . Richard had never considered it necessary . Chapter 22 A Chance 3/8 " Rebecca , we have to face this eventually . I can't hide behind you forever , " Richard said tenderly , pulling her into his arms . " It's okay . I was the one who made mistakes back then . I love you and will accept whatever punishment comes my way . " Rebecca nodded distractedly . Despite the sweet words filling her ears , all she could see in her mind was Alistair's face - his upturned lips and the gentle smile . that reached his eyes . After finishing the story , Alistair watched as Eloise drifted off to sleep . He quietly slipped out of her room , only to find Caroline waiting in the hallway . She had just showered , her damp hair falling loosely over her shoulders . Her face was bare and flawless , her skin glowing with dewy freshness . Caroline's slender frame was practically swimming in her loose . white pajama set . The moment Alistair saw Caroline , he couldn't help but thank goodness she didn't share Rebecca's preference for sexy lace nightgowns . Living under the same roof and running into each other constantly would have been awkward otherwise . Yet he had lived with Rebecca and her revealing lingerie for six Chapter 22 A Chance 4/8 years without feeling uncomfortable . Perhaps that was because , despite Rebecca's stunning curves , Alistair's inherent aversion to her had prevented him from ever seeing her as a woman he could desire . " Is she asleep ? " Caroline whispered . listair responded , " Yes . " " You should get some rest , too , " Caroline suggested softly . Alistair nodded and opened the door to his bedroom . Caroline carefully pushed open Eloise's door and sat on the edge of the bag tenderly at her peacefully sleeping daughter . must have been having pleasant dreams as a sweet smile crossed her face . Eloise seemed quite satisfied with the father Caroline had found for her . And Caroline herself was equally pleased with the husband she had chosen . If only he would stop being so politely distant with her , everything would be perfect . ***** Anne woke up with a pounding headache in the hotel's. king - sized bed . Chapter 22 A Chance 5/8 She reached over to feel the space beside her - empty and cold . Pulling back the covers , she grimaced in confusion . After meeting that incredibly handsome guy last night , why was she still wearing the same sexy outfit she'd worn out for her fun night ? Where had the man gone ? She remembered them drinking and talking , hitting it off wonderfully . What exactly they'd discussed , however , remained a blur . She just knew they'd talked about many , many things . Later , she'd used her tipsy state as an excuse to collapse against him . He was the one who'd brought her to the hotel , but everything after that was a blank . According to how these scenarios typically played out , her drunk self should have ended up in a passionate encounter with him , tearing up the sheets in an epic night of pleasure … Anne shook her head , staring at the room - messy , yes , but showing no signs of any intimate activities . She was utterly bewildered . Where was her perfect guy ? Chapter 22 A Chance Where was her steamy one - night stand ?! 6/8 Caroline gazed guiltily at her handsome executive assistant in . front of her desk . " I'm sorry for what you went through , " she said . " Here's something to make up for it . " Julian Hart , Caroline's executive assistant , twitched his lips as he looked at Caroline , who was clearly not sincere despite her apology . His expression of utter despair vanished instantly when he spotted the sports car keys gleaming on the polished desk . " Ms. Ashbourne , it would be my honor to walk through fire and climb mountains for you , " he gushed . " Nearly losing my virtue was nothing ! I'd willingly be cut into a thousand pieces for you ! " God , that woman last night had been terrifying - acting like she'd never seen a man before . He would have lost his virtue if he hadn't been quick - witted . The things he endured for this job ! Caroline laughed softly and waved her hand . " Alright , alright . I know you suffered . " Having successfully buttered up Caroline , Julian snatched the car keys and strutted out , delighted . How could he not devote himself completely to such a generous employer ? The investigation Caroline had asked Julian to conduct on Rebecca had yielded results . Chapter 22 A Chance These findings surprised Caroline tremendously . At the same time , she was satisfied . So the child wasn't Alistair's after all . It belonged to Rebecca and some guy named Richard . 7/8 Rebecca had sought out Alistair when he was vulnerable after his family crisis , manipulating him into taking responsibility for her child . At the same time , the birth father fled abroad to escape his obligations . Caroline's eyes lit up . That meant , despite Alistair spending six years with Rebecca , he was still actually … still … Caroline's cheeks grew warm . No wonder he was so innocent . Caroline let out a soft sigh . She regretted meeting him so late in his life . Otherwise , what was a mere two million dollars ? She could have given him that money herself . She would never have allowed him to suffer so much . Chapter 22 A Chance Rebecca … Caroline's eyes darkened with anger . 8/8 That woman had used her two million dollars to treat Alistair like less than human for six years , humiliating and ordering him around without restraint . Calling him a slave wouldn't be an exaggeration . Caroline frowned . Just wait until I get the chance . I'll make you pay for what you did to Alistair .