Chapter 5: Determined to Have Him

Before adopting Eloise, Caroline had been a staunch believer in staying single for life. Even after bringing Eloise into her world, she naively thought her love alone would be enough to give this little girl, who’d lost her mother at birth and faced a rocky start, a happy, fulfilling life. But somewhere along the way, things got complicated. The first time Eloise, with her big, cautious eyes, asked why she didn’t have a daddy, Caroline’s heart sank. Raising a child, she realized, wasn’t just about love. Making a child truly happy was far more intricate than she’d imagined.

That was when her ironclad no-marriage rule began to waver. She started entertaining the idea of marriage. At first, she figured she’d pick someone tolerable from her pool of suitors—someone kind, patient, and attentive. But every time she mentally sifted through the candidates, ready to take the next step, an invisible force seemed to hold her back, keeping her rooted in place. Strangely, though, when she met Alistair and pictured him as her future partner, she felt absolutely no resistance.

Alistair was handsome, his features aligning perfectly with her tastes. But looks weren’t what sealed the deal. It was his eyes. Sometimes they held a flicker of uncertainty, but they were always clear, almost luminous with a quiet sincerity. He was unlike any man she’d ever met. He had the unspoiled purity of a young boy, yet carried a steadiness rare for his age. It was as if he’d endured countless hardships but emerged with his kindness and warmth intact. It was a quality no one could fake.

Caroline wasn’t impulsive by nature. Sure, she could be bold, even a little wild at times, but never reckless. She wasn’t sure if it was Eloise’s instant connection with this man or the uncanny sense of familiarity he sparked in her from the moment they met. Whatever it was, she’d made up her mind. Alistair was the one she wanted, and she wasn’t letting him slip away.

Eloise bounced back, freshly cleaned, her face glowing. She clambered into Caroline’s lap for a quick cuddle, then shyly sidled over to Alistair, resting against his leg and fidgeting with her fingers. Alistair reached down, gently ruffling her hair with a warm smile. He genuinely liked this little girl. Her bright, sugary smile was like a balm, soothing the wounds left by years of dealing with Daniel’s tantrums and chaos. For a fleeting moment, he even found himself thinking how wonderful it would be if he could have such a lovely daughter.

Eloise tilted her head up, her eyes wide and hopeful. “Alistair, will we see you again?” Seeing her expectant expression, Alistair hesitated, then gave a vague but gentle reply. “If fate wants us to, I’m sure we will.”

A voice chimed in his mind: “New life opportunity detected. Host, please make your choice.”

“Option one: This mother and daughter are strangers with unknown intentions. Fresh out of a disastrous marriage, you’re wary of diving into something that seems even more absurd. You crave a simple, quiet life.”

“Option two: Life calls for boldness. A stunning, enigmatic CEO as your wife, an adorable daughter, and a million dollars a month in spending money… You’re ready to take the leap!”

“Choose option one for 10 system credits. Choose option two for 200 system credits. Host, make your decision!”

Alistair let out a wry chuckle. The system was practically handing him the answer on a silver platter. If he couldn’t figure this out, he didn’t deserve the Life Choice System. Now, he was certain that this mother-daughter duo was his opportunity. It was almost comical. His so-called golden opportunity seemed to be one where he got to live off a woman. But if he could do it with dignity, he wasn’t opposed. The moment he’d agreed to Rebecca’s deal to save his father from prison, he’d stopped being the idealistic, proud young man he once was.

Alistair lifted his gaze to meet Caroline’s. She sat across from him, poised and patient, waiting for his answer. When he finally said, “Okay,” the tension in Caroline’s shoulders eased, her heart settling back into place. Only then did she realize her hands, clenched tightly in her lap, were slick with sweat. She’d negotiated billion-dollar contracts without breaking a sweat, but this? This had her nerves in knots. Thank goodness he said yes.

If he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have hesitated to pull out all the stops to keep him. Caroline knew she’d have gone to any lengths, especially since her precious daughter genuinely adored him. And, if she was honest, Eloise wasn’t the only one smitten.

A cheerful ping of 200 system credits deposited into his account brought a wave of unexpected joy to Alistair. “So, when do we…” he started.

“No time like the present,” Caroline cut in, her tone decisive.

Alistair blinked, a puzzled smile tugging at his lips. “Sorry, I think you misunderstood. I was asking when we’d head to City Hall.”

Caroline took a sip of her coffee, unfazed. “I didn’t misunderstand. I meant today.”

Alistair was momentarily speechless. If he didn’t trust the system to have his back, her eagerness would have set off every alarm bell in his head. Seeing his hesitation, Caroline arched a brow. “What’s the problem? Not okay with that?”

“No, it’s not that,” Alistair said, choosing his words carefully. “It’s just… City Hall’s probably closed by now.”

Only then did Caroline realize she’d been a little too hasty. She’d been so caught up in the moment that she’d overlooked the obvious. A flush of embarrassment crept up her neck. She worried her urgency might have spooked him. “Sorry,” she said, her usual icy composure faltering. “It’s my first time getting married. I’m not exactly familiar with the process.” The poised CEO used the excuse to mask her momentary lapse, a rare crack in her polished exterior.

At a high-end luxury boutique, Rebecca slid her card across the counter without a second thought, snapping up a 580,000-dollar limited-edition handbag. Her father was a well-known entrepreneur in New York, and as his only child, Rebecca lived a life of leisure without ever working a day. As long as she didn’t go completely overboard, her parents’ wealth could sustain her, and her son, for generations.

Exhausted from shopping, she sank into a plush chair in the store’s VIP lounge, sipping coffee with her two best friends. Her friend Anne Thorne grinned, raising her cup. “Congrats, Rebecca! All those years of waiting finally paid off. When’s the big day? I’m getting you the best wedding gift ever.”

Rebecca tossed her freshly styled, sultry curls with a playful smile. “Whatever you get, it better be good. Don’t worry, when your turn comes, I’ll return the favor with something just as fabulous.”

Her other friend, Vivienne Everett, leaned forward, curiosity piqued. “What about Alistair?”

Anne jumped in before Rebecca could answer. “Yeah, that guy’s a walking headache!”

Rebecca’s tone was cool and dismissive. “A headache? Please. I kicked him to the curb, and that was that.”

Vivienne’s eyes widened. “You just kicked him out? Just like that?”

“Yup,” Rebecca said, her voice brimming with confidence. “He was just a pawn to mess with Rick. Now that Rick’s back, why would I keep him around?”

As Rebecca’s closest confidantes, Anne and Vivienne had known from the start the secret her parents still didn’t. They knew Alistair had been a tool in her game with Richard.

Vivienne shook her head, her voice soft but firm. “Rebecca, don’t be so harsh. We’ve all seen how he treated you and Danny these past six years. Honestly, sometimes I thought if you’d just opened your eyes to how good he was, you could’ve had a great life with him. Guys that thoughtful are rare.”

Rebecca scoffed, her lips curling. “What, you’ve got a thing for him now?”

Vivienne smirked, half-serious. “Maybe I do. You knew I always thought he was a catch. If he hadn’t been your husband in name, I’d have made a move ages ago.”

“Well, he’s all yours now,” Rebecca said with a shrug. “We finalized the divorce today.”

Anne let out a sly chuckle, her expression calculating. “Vivienne, you’re so naive. You really think Alistair was good to Rebecca and her kid out of the kindness of his heart? He just wanted to stay close to Rebecca and live a high life. Talk about daydreaming. Rebecca would never fall for a broke guy like that.”

Vivienne didn’t argue. She had her own read on Alistair and didn’t buy Anne’s take. Anne, eager for gossip, turned back to Rebecca. “So, when you told him to get lost, I bet he begged you to stay, right? I mean, I get it. Without you, he’s got no shot at living in a fancy house or having that kind of lifestyle ever again.”

Rebecca’s mind flashed to the moment she’d told him to leave. His face had been so calm, so devoid of emotion. He hadn’t begged at all. He hadn’t even looked back. Her thoughts drifted to their final encounter outside the courthouse, his indifferent expression haunting her. A flicker of irritation tightened her jaw. She kept her voice icy, masking the unease. “I told him to leave, and he left. Whether he begs or not, it’s useless.”