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It was completely unrecognizable from the quiet, withdrawn Alistair she remembered.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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between them was their choice. It wasn't her place to interfere

when Rebeccal belittled him in front of everyone,

return to Alistair's eyes filled Vivienne with

so much. My mother had a wonderful time today," she said, reaching for her phone.

I'm glad your mother likes it. I

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

he interrupted. "I've

of regret. "I haven't done anything special. At least let me buy you a dinner

politely without

13 Like a

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It was what she'd expected, and she

to Alistair, but unlike some of

her social circle, she wasn't looking for casual thrills or

too rational

Vivienne personally. In fact,

coming from money, Vivienne was gentle and good-natured

but

and he preferred to keep his distance

tried the chicken noodle

remained neutral, his eyes had

Vivienne sighed inwardly.

she knew Rebecca's

Like a

Richard did

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bit working for Rebecca, leaving him with some

him. Worried he might feel uncomfortable accepting it, she was relieved when he did. Alistair

Vivienne walked him to

Vivienne's

she saw who was calling. "Hello,

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

Rebecca said next. "I seriously can't

she hung up, Alistair had already walked out the

quick wave

Like a Stranger before

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tracks,

She couldn't help but shake

this feeling that Rebecca

time.

Whatever. Not my problem.

watched Alistair vanish around the corner, then headed back inside. It was

was an amazing cook. That

it were Vivienne, she wouldn't let someone