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It was completely unrecognizable from the quiet, withdrawn Alistair she remembered.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

up for him when Rebeccal belittled

Alistair's eyes filled Vivienne with genuine

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

"That's not necessary. I'm glad your mother likes it. I don't

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

that," he interrupted. "I've actually been wanting

regret. "I haven't done anything special. At least let

politely without saying a

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

to Alistair, but unlike some

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

was too rational to

against Vivienne personally. In fact,

Vivienne was gentle and good-natured

her, but

he preferred to

but ever since my mom tried the chicken noodle soup Rebecca brought over,

through, she noticed that while Alistair's expression remained neutral, his eyes had grown distant.

Vivienne sighed inwardly.

grown up together, so she knew Rebecca's temperament all too well-spoiled, willful, and determined

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Richard did Rebecca ever

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quite a bit working for Rebecca, leaving

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

he left, Vivienne walked him to the door

Vivienne's phone

Alistair when she saw who was calling.

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

next. "I seriously

hung up, Alistair had already walked out the front

quick wave without

Like a Stranger before

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in her tracks,

mind. She couldn't help but shake

got this feeling that Rebecca was

time.

Whatever. Not my problem.

inside. It

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

she wouldn't let someone with those cooking skills walk