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It was completely unrecognizable from the quiet, withdrawn Alistair she remembered.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

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

long-absent sparkle return to Alistair's

a wonderful time today," she said, reaching for

necessary. I'm glad your

made her anxious. "That won't work! I can't let

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

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

just smiled politely

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It was what

Alistair, but unlike some of

she wasn't looking

rational

had nothing against Vivienne personally. In fact, he was

gentle and

her, but

circle, and he preferred to keep his distance from

tried the chicken noodle soup Rebecca brought

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

Vivienne sighed inwardly.

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

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own way. Only around Richard

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have suffered quite a bit working for Rebecca, leaving

Vivienne had prepared a gift for him. Worried he might feel uncomfortable accepting it, she was relieved when he did. Alistair politely

left, Vivienne walked him

then, Vivienne's phone

when she saw who was calling. "Hello,

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

at whatever Rebecca said next. "I seriously can't

had

a quick wave without looking

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her tracks, Rebecca's words

mind. She couldn't help but shake

got this feeling that Rebecca was going to

time.

Whatever. Not my problem.

then headed back inside. It was time

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

it were Vivienne, she wouldn't let someone with those