Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 13 Like a Stranger

1/9

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

2/9

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It was completely unrecognizable from the quiet, withdrawn Alistair she remembered.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

3/9

between them was their choice. It

could do was stand up for him when Rebeccal belittled him in front of everyone, even

that faint, long-absent sparkle return to Alistair's eyes filled Vivienne with genuine

mother had a wonderful time today," she said, reaching for her phone. "Let me send your

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

polite, which made her anxious. "That won't work! I can't let you do all this for nothing.

interrupted. "I've actually been wanting

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

smiled politely without saying

13 Like

4/9

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

attracted to Alistair, but unlike some of

looking for casual thrills or a quick

rational to entertain

had nothing against Vivienne personally. In fact, he was

was gentle and

but that was where it

and he

laugh, but ever since my mom tried the chicken noodle soup Rebecca brought over, she hasn't

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

Vivienne sighed inwardly.

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

13 Like a

way. Only around Richard did

5/9

suffered quite a bit working for Rebecca,

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

walked him

Vivienne's

oddly at Alistair when she saw

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

said next. "I seriously can't get

she hung up, Alistair had

wave

13 Like a

6/9

in her tracks, Rebecca's words still

help but shake

that Rebecca was going to

time.

Whatever. Not my problem.

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

was an amazing cook. That silly Rebecca

were Vivienne, she wouldn't let someone with those cooking skills walk away so