Chapter 4 Marry Me Caroline knew her proposal was bold , maybe even shocking . Anyone would think she was pulling some absurd prank . But she couldn't help herself . The urge to ask him was overwhelming . Oddly enough , she wasn't usually this impulsive . 1/8 From the moment she laid eyes on this man , a strange sense of familiarity washed over her . It was as if she'd met him before , somewhere , somehow . She racked her brain , sifting through memories , but found no trace of him . That inexplicable feeling sparked a curious trust in him . Her gut told her he was someone she could rely on . And Caroline ? She was a woman who trusted her instincts . Her hand , resting on the table , clenched briefly before she spoke , her voice steady but earnest , " My daughter grew up in a single - parent home . She's incredibly well - behaved and sweet to the bone . I can give her the best life , shower her with all my love , but I can't fill the emotional void she feels . " Alistair , partly because he'd hit it off with Eloise , listened Chapter 4 Marry Me 2/8 patiently . As her words sank in , a realization dawned on him . He understood Caroline was looking for a father for her little girl . It made a certain kind of sense , but the more he thought about it , the more bizarre it seemed . He felt if Caroline truly wanted a dad for her daughter , she could pick from a lineup of accomplished men in her circle . He believed with her looks and her status , there'd be no shortage of suitors eager to step into that role . He couldn't fathom why she'd zero in on a stranger she'd just met . Sensing his confusion , Caroline tilted her head and asked , " When you were with Eloise earlier , did you think she was easy to talk to ? Easy to be around ? " Alistair nodded without hesitation . " Absolutely . She's adorable . Anyone would fall for her . " He thought of her soft little voice , her warm giggle and the way she was always considerate of others . It warmed his heart . Compared to someone like Daniel , who only cared about himself , Eloise was a little angel . Caroline's voice softened as she said candidly , " Before the nanny found Eloise , I was already here … " Alistair froze . 3/8 Chapter 4 Marry Me She's been there the whole time ? Watching us from a distance instead of rushing over ? " I'm sorry , " Caroline said , exhaling softly . " Before I got there , I was imagining all sorts of scenarios in my head . I thought she'd be crying her eyes out . She's S shy , so reserved . She doesn't warm up to anyone but me … " Alistair frowned . That didn't match the Eloise he had just spent time with at all . Noticing his puzzled expression , Caroline gave a small smile . " You're surprised , aren't you ? The Eloise you met isn't quite the one I described . " Alistair nodded , still processing . " When I saw her snuggled in your arms , laughing so happily , I was stunned , " Caroline admitted , her gaze steady on him . Alistair was about her age , lean , with pale skin and a certain fragility in his features that made her want to know his story . His clothes were cheap , but his entire presence gave the impression of someone who had recently crawled out of a dark place and was starting anew . " Besides me , Eloise has never been that comfortable with anyone , " Caroline said softly . " She likes you . " Alistair shrugged , deflecting . " Maybe I just happened to be there when she was feeling scared and alone . " Chapter 4 Marry Me 4/8 Caroline shook her head . " No , it's more than that . You might not see it , but you have this … warmth about you . " He chuckled , a little embarrassed . Maybe she wasn't wrong . " Is that why you want to marry me ? " he asked , his tone skeptical . " I get that you want to give your daughter a complete family , but marriage isn't a game . Isn't this a bit reckless … for you , for me ? " He wasn't about to jump at what sounded like a wild opportunity without thinking it through . It was too surreal . And honestly ? He wasn't even sure it was that opportunity . Caroline paused , her expression thoughtful . " I can tell you with absolute certainty that this isn't a spur - of - the - moment decision for me . " Alistair raised an eyebrow , incredulous . It isn't a spur - of - the - moment decision ? It's laughable that someone would make a lifelong decision in that time and dare to say it wasn't impulsive . " I'm asking for your opinion , " she said , her voice calm but firm . " Setting aside the fact that I have a five - year - old daughter , can you honestly say you'd find someone better in every way ? " 또 101 10 년 Chapter 4 Marry Me Her question caught him off guard . 5/8 He opened his mouth , then closed it . Truthfully … he couldn't think of anyone . Even with a kid in the picture , being with someone like Caroline would be a leap into a world he could only dream of . " But relationships aren't just about checking boxes , " he said , his voice quieter now . " We don't know each other . Our values , our personalities … they might not even mesh . " Memories of his disastrous marriage to Rebecca flickered through his mind , cooling any spark of excitement . He was done with love . All he wanted now was a simple , quiet life . Caroline propped her chin on her hand , her eyes glinting with a soft warmth . " Alright then , tell me , what's your ideal partner like ? " " Uh , well … " Alistair faltered , words escaping him . " So , you don't have a clear picture ? " she pressed , her tone gentle but persistent . " Then why not give me a chance ? " She wasn't aggressive , but Alistair felt cornered all the same . He hesitated , then said softly , " We're from different worlds , Caroline . And you might not know this , but I'm not exactly a catch . I don't have a girlfriend , but I am divorced . As of today , actually . " Papen by four ORLURS Chapter 4 Marry Me In fact , he didn't need to tell her . She already knew . 6/8 The moment she saw how easily Eloise took to him , Caroline had her people dig into his background . With her resources , it didn't take long to get the basics . [ Alistair Harlow , twenty - four , high school dropout , freshly divorced , and left with nothing . ] Before seeing his file , she hadn't pegged him as someone with a failed marriage at his age . But it didn't deter her . Alistair gave a wry smile . " I'm a divorced guy with no prospects . You're really okay with that ? " With Caroline's charm and success , even as a single mom , she'd have men lining up . Meanwhile , he came with nothing but disadvantages . He expected her to back off , but instead , she leaned forward , unfazed . " I've got a daughter . You're divorced . Sounds like neither of us has room l Alistair was speechless . judge ." He had to admit that Eloise was lucky . After all , her mom was so devoted to giving her a full family that she'd consider marrying a total stranger . Admirable , sure . But it was also the craziest thing he'd ever heard . Chapter 4 Marry Me 7/8 Caroline's voice softened , patient . " Don't say no just yet . Take some time to think it over . I promise , aside from asking you to spend time with Eloise , I won't meddle in your life or your freedom . " She paused , her eyes sincere . " And if you fall in love with someone else , I'll let you go and wish you nothing but happiness . " Alistair cut in , skeptical , " If that's the deal , why not just hire me as a nanny for Eloise ? Why insist on marriage ? " Caroline's smile turned bittersweet . Even a decisive , powerful woman like her faced obstacles she couldn't sidestep . She needed a husband , not just for Eloise , but to shield herself from the gossip and scrutiny that hounded her . " Marry me , and I'll give you a million dollars a month for spending money , " she said , her tone matter - of - fact . " And if you find your true love later , I'll hand you a fifty - million - dollar parting gift . How's that sound ? " Alistair blinked , stunned . A million a month ? Fifty million to walk away ? Was she serious ? It sounded too good to be true . If she weren't sitting right there , he'd pinch himself to check if 8/8 Chapter 4 Marry Me he was dreaming . Because if this was a dream , he desperately needed to wake up . He couldn't afford to let a fantasy like this chip away at his last bit of reason .