Chapter 42 I've Remarried " Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield met that man . He's decent - looking- though not as pleasing to the eye as you , truly ! " 1/6 Eva recounted everything to Alistair , including how Richard had been struck by Nathaniel's belt . Unaware of Richard's mother's disgraceful past , Alistair was surprised that Rebecca's parents would disapprove of Richard . If Rebecca wants to marry Richard , does she have to give up all inheritance rights ? Alistair couldn't make sense of the situation , and Eva didn't . know the full story either - but one thing was clear - neither of them thought much of Richard . Could it be because Richard didn't endure Nathaniel's whipping as obediently as I did ? " Alistair , I heard Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield say it themselves - that man isn't fit to hold a candle to you . They still think you're the better match for Ms. Whitfield . " Eva wasn't the type of servant to gossip about her employers . But deep down , she believed Alistair would eventually return to Rebecca , so she still considered him family . That was why she couldn't help but share the Whitfields ' private affairs with him . Chapter 42 I've Remarried 2/6 " If I'd known you were coming to pick up Danny , I wouldn't have bothered . That way , you two could have bonded properly . These past few days , he's been crying nonstop , saying how much he misses you . Just wait till he sees be over the moon . you - h Anyway , I should get going . " " Eva , " Alistair sighed with a faint smile , " I'm not here for Danny . " Eva froze . " Then why are you here ? Have you … left them for good ? " Alistair replied calmly , " Rebecca and I are divorced . I have no ties to her - or the Whitfield family - anymore . I won't be going back . " " Oh … " Eva assumed he was just upset and tried to console him . " Alistair , I know you're hurting . And I understand . But I don't think this is entirely a bad thing . Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield are starting to see your worth , and Ms. Whitfield will learn to appreciate you . " Only a handful of people knew the truth about Alistair and Rebecca's relationship . Even her parents were in the dark - how could Eva possibly know ? Alistair said firmly , " Eva , I'll be honest with you . I've already h you . I've already remarried . Today , I'm here to pick up my stepdaughter . " Eva gaped , " What ? " Just then , Eloise emerged - this time , hand in hand with a girl Chapter 42 I've Remarried about her height . Beaming , she introduced , " Daddy , this is my best friend ! Her name is Zoe Stone ! " Zoe greeted Alistair shyly , " Hello . " The sight left Eva utterly speechless . 3/6 After exchanging pleasantries with Zoe and her parents , Alistair took Eloise's hand and left . www The entire way , Eloise chattered excitedly about her day at kindergarten , particularly how she and Zoe had become friends . Alistair praised her warmly . " You're amazing , Eloise . You'll make even more friends in no time ! " Meanwhile , Eva retrieved Daniel and returned to Whitfield Manor , her mind heavy with doubt . On the day Richard had visited , Cordelia noticed something off about Daniel . When she checked , she found his bottom covered in red handprints . Furious , she initially assumed the preschool teachers were responsible - only to learn that Richard was the culprit . Cordelia knew Daniel was spoiled - loud , bratty , and utterly lacking in manners . Sometimes his shrieking gave her migraines , and she'd urge Rebecca to discipline him . But blood ran thicker than water . Chapter 42 I've Remarried 4/6 Rebecca , Nathaniel , and I - even Alistair - we have every right to correct Daniel . But an outsider ? Never . A paternity test might prove Richard was Daniel's biological father , but to Cordelia , he would always remain an outsider . The discovery that Richard had struck Daniel infuriated her more than if a teacher had done it . Richard hasn't spent a single day acting as a father . How dare he lay a hand on him ? He's despicable - not just a hypocrite , but violent ! He's a hundred - no , a thousand - times worse than Alistair ! Fearing Richard might harm Daniel again , Cordelia refused to let him leave - not even with Rebecca . She adored Daniel , but she hadn't forgotten that Rebecca was also a hopeless romantic . Gently holding Daniel's hand , Cordelia observed . This child is unruly , but lately … perhaps because of the family turmoil , he's been less wild . Especially after that beating - he's been listless , missing the spark most kids his age have . " Danny , you've lost weight ! I made your favorites . Come , let's eat . " Chapter 42 I've Remarried Eva hesitated , then spoke up . After settling Daniel in his high chair , Cordelia turned to her . " What is it ? " Eva recounted her encounter with Alistair . 5/6 Even though he had declared his complete severance from the Whitfields , Eva still saw him as a family - convinced he would return someday . She had witnessed firsthand his tenderness toward Rebecca and Daniel , his respect and care for Nathaniel and Cordelia . Six years of bonds don't just vanish . Ms. Whitfield made a mistake , but she'll realize it eventually . And by then , Alistair's anger will have cooled . He'll come back . That was what Eva believed - what Nathaniel and Cordelia believed too . But Alistair had told her outright - he had remarried . The news left Cordelia stunned . Like Eva , her first reaction was disbelief . " How is that possible ? " Cordelia said . " For six years , he revolved entirely around Rebecca and Daniel . When would he have had time to meet another woman ? " Then she remembered - Nathaniel had once seen Alistair dining Chapter 42 I've Remarried with another woman . 6/6 Was he already planning his exit while Rebecca was using him ? Cordelia began to tremble , unsure whether from anger or fear . She was furious at Alistair's cunning - but terrified he might never return . Rebecca is beautiful . Even divorced with a child , she'll have no trouble finding another man . Besides , our family's status ensures that . But Cordelia knew the truth - finding another man like Alistair would be nearly impossible . Her worries deepened when Daniel asked glumly , " Grandma , when is Daddy coming home ? " A cold dread spread through her . What if Alistair really doesn't come back ? What do we do then ?