Chapter 20 Have Some More


    Reba''s words were practically a deration of war.


    Vivienne stared at her in disbelief, feeling utterly humiliated. "Reba, you-"


    "Are you going to let hime out or not? If not, I''ll go in and find him myself!" Reba pushed past her impatiently.


    Vivienne tried to block her but failed.


    What a mess!


    Alistair was indeed in the store, but who had tipped Reba


    off?


    During the restaurant''s renovation, Vivienne brought Reba and Anne here, so Reba knew theyout well. She headed straight for Vivienne''s office.


    Vivienne remained silent as she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    She regretted not adding Alistair as a friendst time; otherwise, she could have messaged him to slip away quietly.


    But then she quickly realized-why should Alistair hide?


    He didn''t owe Reba anything.


    Chapter 20 Have Some More


    Come to think of it, Alistair hadn''te alone.


    When she first noticed him, she had only seen Alistair, not whoever was sitting across from him.


    Alistair didn''t seem to have many friends.


    Reba''s face was terrifyingly dark. She was furious when she couldn''t find Alistair. "Where have you hidden Alistair?" she demanded.


    Vivienneughed bitterly in her fury, calmly closing her office door. "Alistair is a person, not an object. Why would I hide him? As for you, Reba, shouldn''t you be at home with your Rick instead ofing here to make a scene?"


    She wanted to keep the peace, but that didn''t mean she was a pushover!


    If Reba wanted a confrontation, then so be it!


    The pizza arrived at the table, and Alistair ced a slice on Eloise''s te.


    Caroline nced at him without saying a word.


    "Dad, don''t just worry about feeding me," Eloise said in her sweet, gentle voice.


    Alistair thought she was about to tell him to eat something


    Chapter 20 Have Some More


    himself. He was about to feel touched that she was a billion


    times more considerate than that little brat Daniel when Eloise slowly finished her sentence. "Give Mom some too."


    He''d felt touched too soon!


    "Dad, you work so hard. I love you, Daddy!"


    What a little sweet-talker.


    Just for those words alone, he would do anything for Caroline and Eloise-even if


    it meant sacrificing a kidney, he''d do it withoutint!


    Alistair reached for the mushroom pizza.


    A happy family starts with parents who love each other.


    In front of Eloise, he had to put on a show at least.


    Caroline spoke up, "Don''t."


    Alistair quietly breathed a sigh of relief.


    A hint of yfulness flickered in Caroline''s eyes. "I want Chicago-style pizza," she said.


    Alistair stared at her nkly.


    He gave her a surprisingly curious look.


    "Did you think I wouldn''t like something so heavy?" Caroline


    Chapter 20 Have Some More asked.


    Alistair nodded honestly.


    "Actually, I love it," Caroline admitted.


    Alistair himself preferred rich, bold vors.


    But Reba didn''t like heavy foods and constantly worried about breakouts and skin problems. As her dutiful boyfriend, Alistair had been forced into six years of nd eating.


    The night he regained his freedom, Alistair had ordered a te. of bacon aglio olio, specifically asking the chef to add extra chili. He''d eaten it dripping with sweat, savoring every magnificent. bite.


    The Chicago-style pizza in front of them now looked mouthwatering.


    Alistair helped serve the pizza and chicken wings onto her te.


    Just as he set down the spat, Caroline reached over.


    The sleeve of her cream-colored sweater rode up slightly with her movement, revealing a glimpse of her delicate wrist. Her skin was wless, like pure silk.


    Alistair''s gaze lingered on her wrist momentarily before casually looking away.


    He had assumed she was reaching for food he''d missed serving


    Chapter 20 Have Some More


    her, but to his surprise, Caroline ced the food she''d scooped onto his empty


    te instead, giving him a gentle smile.


    "Honey, have some more," Caroline said.


    Alistair felt a sudden jolt. The word "honey" sounded inexplicably alluring in her


    calm, clear voice despite her perfectly casual tone.


    Noticing hisck of response, Eloise


    chimed in with childish wisdom "Daddy, we''re family. You don''t need


    to beso formal. with me and Mommy."


    Alistair smiled at her and ducked his head to focus on the food on his te.


    Caroline noticed the tips of his ears turning red as she raised. her soda to her lips, hiding the suspicious upward curve of her mouth.


    It was still early after dinner, so Caroline suggested they wander around the mall


    to help digest their meal.


    Alistair had no objections.


    As they left the restaurant, Alistair headed next door to buy Eloise a bottle of milk and pick up some juice for Caroline.


    Suddenly, someone blocked his path.


    Alistair looked up to find himself face-to-face with Reba, her eyes cold as ice. Chapter 20 Have Some More Alistair rolled his eyes inwardly.


    Why was Reba always turning up like a bad penny? Didn''t she have her first love to apany? Or her son? Or her parents?


    Reba was fuming.


    Nathaniel had spotted Alistair at Vivienne''s restaurant, and Cordelia wouldn''t stop questioning her about it. Reba could only im ignorance, muttering, "I''ll go check it out," before storming off to investigate.


    Reba was livid.


    Alistair was having the time of his life! He and Vivienne were practically joined at the hip!


    She had no idea where Vivienne had hidden him. After failing to find Alistair, she''d endured a session of Vivienne''s passive-aggressive mockery.


    Reba couldn''t remember thest time she''d been so humiliated-she was nearly beside herself with rage.


    She decided then and there that her rtionship with Vivienne was officially over.


    Still, she needed to find Alistair, so she positioned herself at a nearby store to wait for him to emerge.


    Chapter 20 Have Some More


    Then it urred to her-let Alistair deal with Nathaniel and Cordelia''s suspicions.


    She knew that since their divorce, Alistair had be more challenging to


    control, constantly causing her grief.


    She''d just have to offer him some kind of incentive.


    Wasn''t what he wanteding back anyway? With the right motivation, he''d jump


    at the opportunity to make amends.


    Their eyes met, and Reba''s heart skipped a beat in shock.


    Was this really Alistair?!


    His features were the same as she remembered, but after just one day apart, he


    seemed transformed entirely-like a stranger from his soul to his skin.


    When he looked at her, his lips still curved into a faint smile, hist expression gentle


    and content.


    Reba stood frozen.


    Without her, he seemed to be doing just fine...


    The moment Alistair recognized her, his smile stiffened. The warmth in his eyes


    vanished instantly.


    It was as if she were some bad luck charm.


    Running into Reba on an otherwise pleasant evening was the


    me More


    Alistair frowned, attempting to walk past her. Reba


    instinctively reached out to grab him, but he was prepared and smoothly dodged


    her grasp.


    Reba''s anger red immediately. "Alistair, stop this nonsense ande home


    with me!"


    A timid little voice asked, "Daddy, who is thisdy?"


    Reba looked down to see a little girl in a floral dress hugging Alistair''s le her


    big eyes cautiously studying Reba.


    Une little girl was beautiful, but she had called her a


    When Reba went out in public, even three-year-olds called her "miss"!


    Reba snapped at Eloise, "You''ve got the wrong person. He''s not your father!"