Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 13 Like a Stranger

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After dropping Eloise off at preschool, Caroline headed to work while Alistair took a taxi to Everett Villa.

The Everetts had prepared all sorts of ingredients, with several household staff ready to help with the prep work. They handled everything from sorting and washing vegetables to chopping and mincing. Alistair only needed to do the actual cooking.

He'd never received this kind of treatment when he was with

Rebecca.

Whenever Alistair joined Rebecca for dinner with her family, he never got to sit at the table and enjoy a leisurely meal with everyone else.

The kitchen was his domain. It was perfectly normal for him to prepare 15 or 20 dishes all by himself.

By the time he finished cooking, everyone had nearly finished eating, chatting happily and playing with the kids. He would quietly sit at the edge of the table, picking at whatever leftovers remained.

This had been his life for years.

Alistair couldn't say he was used to it-he just didn't have the right to protest.

Chapter 13 Like a Stranger

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Two million dollars might be nothing more than a replaceable sports car to wealthy girls like Rebecca, but for a powerless nobody like Alistair, it was a crushing mountain, suffocating his freedom and self-respect.

Thankfully, that was all in the past now.

Alistair prepared the meal with ease, even finding time to chat with Vivienne when she popped into the kitchen to say hello.

Vivienne's eyes lit up when she saw how vibrant Alistair looked.

It was like finding a diamond in the rough-something that had been there all along, just waiting for someone to polish off the dirt and let it shine again.

What a spirited, talented young man.

It was completely unrecognizable from the quiet, withdrawn Alistair she remembered.

For a split second, the years melted away, and Vivienne could see clearly the spirited young man he'd been in high school.

Back then, even though Alistair was poor, his eyes had sparkled with dreams of the future.

When he dropped out of school to become the father of Rebecca's child, that light in his eyes disappeared.

It was such a mess.

Chapter 13 Like a Stranger

Vivienne couldn't help but sigh.

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the situation was unfair to Alistair, but whatever had happened between them was their choice. It wasn't her place to interfere

belittled him in front of everyone, even if it meant risking Rebecca's

sparkle return to Alistair's

so much. My mother had a wonderful time today," she said,

head. "That's not necessary. I'm glad

her anxious. "That won't work! I can't let you do all this for nothing. Is the

"I've

and felt a twinge of regret. "I haven't done anything special. At least

just smiled politely

Like

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knew exactly what was happening. It was what she'd expected, and

she was attracted to Alistair,

social circle, she wasn't looking for casual

rational to entertain

had nothing against Vivienne personally. In fact, he was

coming from money, Vivienne was gentle and

her, but that was

belonged to Rebecca's social circle, and he

smoothly changed the subject. "You'll laugh, but ever since my mom tried the chicken noodle soup Rebecca brought

remained neutral, his eyes had grown distant. She stopped herself, realizing she'd accidentally

Vivienne sighed inwardly.

had grown up together, so she knew Rebecca's temperament all too

Like

Only around Richard did Rebecca ever

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figured Alistair must have suffered quite a bit working

might feel uncomfortable accepting it, she was relieved when he did. Alistair politely declined her invitation to stay for dinner, claiming he had other

he left, Vivienne walked

Vivienne's

at Alistair when she

walked away. "Go for a spa day? I'm sorry, Rebecca, but I can't make it. I've got things to do

rolled her eyes at whatever Rebecca said next. "I seriously can't get away. Don't start

Alistair had already walked out the front

a quick wave without looking

13 Like a Stranger before

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in her tracks,

mind. She couldn't help

that Rebecca was going to

time.

Whatever. Not my problem.

the corner, then headed back inside. It was time to finish

an amazing cook. That silly

let someone with those