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.

mirror, her reflection looked polished, almost untouched. Her

giving birth, she was still only twenty-four-naturally beautiful and generous when it came to skincare. Her

Chapter 38 Alone Now

and radiant,

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around her was drained of light. Like her, it carried a

that

their last

was still with

up on the couch,

still hear her father's voice echoing in her

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

your choice-you live.

wept

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

Daniel's words-those hurt

don't want Daddy. He hit

Richard's red-rimmed eyes, his voice sharp with emotion. Chapter 38 Alone

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

trying to

Anne's voice was still there, chirping away

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

up and flung the

the silence didn't

her heartbeat, pounding too

faint, high-pitched buzz in her skull

sinking to the cold floor, limp

drained.

now.

years ago-when she thought

felt

Chapter 38 Alone Now

then, Alistair had been

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is Alistair now? Who's he with?

Folding her laundry? Bending

smile?

The door opened.

in the disarray,

of sigh

her arms, trying to lift

limp,

and simply scooped

strength easily overpowered her half-hearted struggle.

never answered

Richard stiffened.

this. Why can't she let it

her face. Or maybe he'd seen it and

did

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an answer she liked? What good does dragging this out

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

voice-so fake, so carefully rehearsed-reminded Rebecca of something

boyfriend came to us, all noble and self-sacrificing. Told your father, 'Punish me all you want, just please support our marriage.' But the second your dad took him up on

death. Like Nathaniel had just

give him a chance. But he's not a good man. He's slick. Puts on a show. And if you insist on jumping. into the fire, then fine. Just don't expect me to watch and clap,” Cordelia sighed, tired and

enough. But next to Richard? Alistair looks like

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

had run toward him even while her

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her to stop.

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was carrying her like

in like he'd done it a

She didn't resist.

he'd won. That she was

He had no idea.

to

and chasing,

once been her loyal

Richard's.

he would've just pulled the same old

break, and then waltz back in like a

him,

beside her now, reaching for her hand

cheek.

please don't be mad

Chapter 38 Alone Now

stared at him,

the bed beside her and pulled her

She didn't fight it.

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go pick up Danny today, yeah?" he whispered, kissing

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

"Why do you think

get our license tomorrow," she

and warm, "Sure. Whatever you

was concerned, her

Their posturing meant nothing.

was right-Cordelia and Nathaniel didn't

thumb,

to win them over in

One move, and she became the mistress of