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It was completely unrecognizable from the quiet, withdrawn Alistair she remembered.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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unfair to Alistair, but whatever had happened between them was their choice.

him when Rebeccal belittled him in front of everyone, even if it meant risking

sparkle return to Alistair's eyes filled Vivienne with genuine

time today," she said,

necessary. I'm glad your mother likes it. I don't

being polite, which made her anxious. "That won't work! I can't let

not that," he interrupted. "I've actually been wanting to thank

"I haven't

smiled politely without

Like a

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It was what she'd expected, and she didn't feel rejected

to Alistair,

she wasn't looking for casual thrills

rational to entertain

against Vivienne personally. In

from money, Vivienne was gentle and good-natured without a trace of

but that was where it

circle, and he preferred to keep his distance from that

laugh, but ever since my mom tried the chicken noodle soup

that while Alistair's expression remained neutral, his eyes had grown distant. She stopped herself, realizing she'd accidentally

Vivienne sighed inwardly.

together, so she knew Rebecca's temperament all too

Like a

way. Only around Richard did Rebecca ever

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bit working for

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

Vivienne walked him to the

then, Vivienne's

glanced oddly at Alistair when she saw who was calling.

the mention of Rebecca's name, Alistair's face went blank as he walked away. "Go for a spa day? I'm sorry, Rebecca, but I can't

whatever Rebecca said next.

had already walked

quick wave without

13 Like a

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stopped in her tracks, Rebecca's words still

mind. She couldn't help but

that Rebecca was going to regret this

time.

Whatever. Not my problem.

around the corner, then headed back inside. It was time

Alistair was an amazing cook. That silly Rebecca was eating like a queen every

wouldn't let someone with those cooking skills walk away