Chapter 30 A Pleasant Breakfast On Richard's fourth day back , Rebecca had a huge fight with him . Richard stormed out , slamming the door behind him , while Rebecca collapsed onto the sofa , sobbing into her hands . 1/7 She had waited six long years for the man she wanted to spend her life with , yet after just a few days together , she realized this wasn't the life she had envisioned . Richard cared more about whether she could inherit the family fortune than about her love . Rebecca felt lost . She couldn't even articulate what kind of life she truly wanted . But inexplicably , her mind drifted to memories of Alistair bustling around the kitchen in an apron while she played carefree with Daniel , building blocks in the living room . While Rebecca spent the night sleepless and distraught , Alistair slept soundly until morning . He woke up refreshed and , seeing that it was still early , headed . to the kitchen to prepare breakfast . Though cooking wasn't part of his responsibilities , he figured he Chapter 30 A Pleasant Breakfast might as well do something productive . 2/7 He opened the double - door refrigerator , pulled out ingredients , and got to work . Back in the day , he had cooked every single meal , and after a few days without practice , he worried his skills might rust . This was his only real talent - he couldn't afford to lose it . He planned to open a small private restaurant someday . Not to cater to many customers or to make money , since he likely wouldn't need it , but simply to keep himself occupied and avoid falling into idleness . On good days , he'd welcome guests . When tired , he'd pack his bags and travel . Living out his days so leisurely sounded perfect to Alistair . Long gone was the ambition of his youth - now , he just wanted to live comfortably , doing as he pleased . Today , he decided to make shrimp and vegetable pasta with eggs . Rolling up his sleeves , he stood at the sink , carefully washing the greens . He realized that cooking for different people brought entirely different experiences . Preparing three meals a day for Rebecca had been a mandatory Chapter 30 A Pleasant Breakfast 3/7 task - like a robot programmed to follow orders mechanically . But now , standing in the kitchen again , it felt strangely …. enjoyable . Just as he finished washing the vegetables and reached for the pasta , he sensed someone watching him . He turned toward the kitchen door . Caroline stood leaning against the doorframe , staring at him absently . Freshly awake , her uncombed hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders , her delicate face free of makeup . Her head rested lightly against the frame , her gaze fixed on him . But when Alistair met her eyes , he realized they were unfocused -less looking at him and more lost in some distant memory . " Sorry , did I wake you ? " He had deliberately moved quietly after getting up , trying not to make noise . Caroline snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head . " No , I was already awake . What are you … " Alistair glanced at the pasta in his hand and suddenly realized he hadn't asked if Caroline or Eloise even wanted pasta . I took too much initiative . Chapter 30 A Pleasant Breakfast " I thought I'd make some pasta . Would you and Eloise like some ? " Caroline smiled , " Of course . " Relieved by her genuine reaction , he nodded . " Great . It shouldn't take too long . " He resumed prepping the ingredients . 4/7 Rebecca had been picky - particular about pasta firmness - so Alistair had learned to time everything precisely . Caroline remained in the doorway , making no move to leave . Alistair suddenly felt like a schoolchild doing homework under a teacher's watchful eye , so nervous he couldn't even work out the simplest arithmetic problem . But Caroline wasn't a stern teacher . Her eyes landed on the kitchen timer , and she frowned , " Are you conducting a chemistry experiment ? Do you need it timed to the second ? " Alistair chuckled , " Just habit . " Caroline didn't reply but still didn't leave . To ease the awkwardness , Alistair grasped for conversation . " Any dietary restrictions ? " She shook her head . " I'll eat anything that isn't terrible . " Chapter 30 A Pleasant Breakfast Alistair nearly laughed . 5/7 Sounds like she's easy to please , but what exactly counts as " not terrible " to her ? After a few days together , he'd learned that beneath Caroline's . cool , unapproachable exterior lay an easygoing nature . Caroline seemed to hesitate as if wanting to say something , but in the end , she stayed silent . She had meant to remind Alistair that his only duty was accompanying Eloise - he didn't need to do anything else - but she held back . She wanted to taste the pasta he made himself . Soon , Eloise woke up too . Dressed in an adorable lace - trimmed nightgown and clutching the little brown bear she slept with , she scampered into the kitchen , eyes wide . " Daddy , you can cook too ? You're amazing ! " Her flattery was effusive for Alistair . Alistair grinned . " Yep . Just tell me what you'd like , and I'll make it for you . " But to his surprise , Eloise shook her head . " No. " Alistair prided himself on his cooking skills - honed under Rebecca's relentless demands - enough that even Vivienne's Chapter 30 A Pleasant Breakfast mother still reminisced about his dishes . " My cooking's really good . You don't have to worry about it tasting bad . " Eloise kept shaking her head . " Still no . " " Why not ? " 6/7 " Because then you'd have to work too hard . I don't want you to get tired . " Alistair froze , warmth blooming in his chest . Did I accidentally stumble into heaven ? By the time Caroline and Eloise finished washing up , the pasta was ready . " This is so yummy , Daddy ! It's the best pasta I've ever had ! " It's so good . I could eat ten plates ! " Daddy , is there more in the pot ? I want seconds ! " Eloise was his most enthusiastic fan , filling breakfast with her constant praise . Caroline didn't offer much commentary , quietly finishing every bite - even using bread to sop up the remaining sauce . That , more than anything , was the highest praise . Chapter 30 A Pleasant Breakfast Once in the car , Alistair - still basking in the morning's 7/7 compliments - grew tense as he remembered their destination . I'm going to meet Caroline's family finally . Even if their marriage wasn't real , he worried about making a bad impression . Well , whatever comes , I'll handle it . By chance , his eyes met Julian's in the rearview mirror . Julian smiled at him , and Alistair smiled back . Just as Julian opened his mouth to speak , a cool voice cut in , " Drive . " Julian sighed inwardly . Seriously ? You're guarding him like this ? I just wanted to say hello . Is that not allowed ? Some friend you are - throw away years of camaraderie the second you get a husband .