Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 38 Alone Now

"Thanks for today, honey."

The word honey rolled off Caroline's tongue more and more. naturally these days. Alistair, who used to flinch every time she said it, had grown used to it too-maybe even fond of it.

He gave her a thoughtful look. "Do you realize you have a major flaw?"

Caroline froze. "What flaw?" she asked quickly, a little too quickly. If there was something wrong with her, she wanted to fix it-immediately.

"You're a total hypocrite."

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You're the one who told me married couples don't need to keep apologizing or thanking each other. So why are you thanking me right now? Isn't that kind of... I don't know, a double standard?"

Caroline lowered her head without a word.

Alistair's heart skipped.

Shit. That was too much, wasn't it?

Was he letting success get to his head? Just because he pulled off

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one heroic save, did that give him the right to call out his boss?

And not just any boss-Caroline.

God, I'm turning into Preston. I need to shut up.

He opened his mouth to backtrack, maybe even apologize.

But then Caroline looked up. Her almond-shaped eyes shimmered with

amusement, glassy and bright. She nodded solemnly. "You're right. I guess I was being a little hypocritical. Won't happen again."

Alistair blinked.

Well... that was easy.

At least she took it well.

But then her expression shifted-less teasing, more serious. She hesitated before speaking again.

"If something like that ever happens again... would you mind telling me sooner?" She meant the thing with Eloise-those cruel words.

"If Eloise asks you not to tell me, I'll respect that. I promise I won't take it out on you. I just... want to know what's going on. You don't have to betray her trust-l just want to make sure she's okay."

Alistair was quiet. She didn't have to be so reasonable. She was

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her daughter's mother. She had every right to demand he report every detail, no questions asked.

And yet, she didn't.

How lucky did I get, ending up with a boss like this?

"Can I ask you something?" he said finally.

Caroline looked up. "Sure."

"Do you... have a lot of people who've tried to date you?"

The question caught her off guard. Her lashes fluttered as she stared at him.

Wait... is he jealous? Is that what this is about?

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "What made you ask that?"

“It's just... what happened today got me thinking," Alistair said. "Are there more people like that Preston guy? I mean-unstable, obsessive types. I'm just wondering if I should be... concerned."

Caroline raised a brow. "You're worried about your safety? I can get you a bodyguard or two."

Oh. So it's not jealousy.

There was a flicker of disappointment in her chest.

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But no-Alistair wasn't jealous either. He was just genuinely concerned someone might pull another stunt like Preston's... and mess with the comfortable life he was finally starting to

enjoy.

Caroline didn't say anything. She simply pulled out her phone and typed a message to Julian.

Caroline: [Find two reliable guys. I want my husband protected.]

If bodyguards were necessary, then bodyguards he'd get. End of

story.

*****

"Rebecca, don't tell me you're ditching me for your boyfriend again! You seriously can't get away for just one afternoon? Richard's at work all day-he doesn't need you glued to his

side!"

Anne's voice whined through the phone, drenched in passive-aggressive frustration.

At the mention of Richard's name, a shadow passed over

Rebecca's face.

looked polished, almost untouched.

still only twenty-four-naturally beautiful and generous

Chapter 38 Alone Now

radiant, collagen-rich and

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the room around her was drained of

kind that

had stormed out after their last

son, Daniel, was still

that entire night curled up on the

hear her father's voice

you from marrying Richard, but don't think you'll get a

your choice-you

mother had wept

when we didn't approve of Alistair, we gave him a chance. But with Richard... we couldn't. Doesn't

words-those

He hit me.

red-rimmed eyes, his voice sharp

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anymore? They disown you the second you get married-what kind of people are they? How can they

trying

Anne's voice was still there, chirping away in

said to me today? She went off about how Vivienne's so much better than me at everything. Again! So I snapped and told her, 'If Vivienne's so great, maybe stop flirting with her husband then?'

up and flung the phone

the silence didn't bring

could hear her heartbeat, pounding

faint, high-pitched buzz in her skull wouldn't go

chair, sinking

drained.

now. Truly, unmistakably

ago-when she thought things were at their

hadn't felt like

Chapter 38 Alone Now

had been

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Alistair now? Who's he with? Some

her laundry? Bending over backward to make

smile?

The door opened.

inside, took in

sigh

slipped under her arms, trying to

limp,

down and

her half-hearted

and distant. "You never

Richard stiffened.

this. Why can't she let it

face. Or maybe he'd seen it and just didn't

more did

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she die if she didn't get an answer she liked? What good

fault, alright? Want to whip me? I'll get the belt; you can go wild -just don't stay

so carefully rehearsed-reminded Rebecca of something her mother once

Told your father, 'Punish me all you want, just please support our marriage.' But the second your dad took him up on it and gave him one tiny

face-cold as death. Like Nathaniel had just murdered his family

show. And if you insist on jumping. into the fire, then fine. Just don't expect me to watch

good enough. But next to Richard? Alistair looks like a goddamn

praise Alistair in front of her-let alone slam Richard-Rebecca would've gone ballistic. Even if it was her own

even while

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her to stop.

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he was carrying her like she was something delicate. Placing

on the bed, tucking her in

She didn't resist.

he'd won. That she was back to normal-calm and

He had no idea.

had to win Rebecca

and chasing,

her loyal little

Richard's.

and Nathaniel, he

to break, and then

him, her expression

her now, reaching for her hand

cheek.

be mad

Chapter 38 Alone Now

at

climbed onto the bed beside

She didn't fight it.

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today, yeah?" he whispered,

out slow, distant. "Rick... will you marry

said easily. "Why do you think I came

our license tomorrow,"

smiled, indulgent and warm, "Sure. Whatever you

as he was concerned, her parents were already

Their posturing meant nothing.

mother was right-Cordelia and

completely under his thumb, the girl

would manage to win them over in no time, and that was

mother had done with his father. One move,