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.

her reflection looked polished, almost

beautiful and generous when it came to skincare. Her face

Chapter 38 Alone Now

radiant, collagen-rich

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drained of light. Like

that

after their last fight. He

Daniel, was

curled up on the couch,

father's voice

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

your choice-you live. with

had wept

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

Daniel's words-those

hit me. He hit

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

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see that? Are you even your parents' daughter anymore? They disown you the second you get married-what kind of people are

clutched her head, trying to block it all

Anne's voice was still there, chirping away

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?' Ha! Anyway, has

hung up and

the silence didn't

her heartbeat,

buzz in her skull wouldn't go

slid from the chair, sinking

drained.

was alone now.

thought things were at

hadn't felt

Chapter 38 Alone Now

Alistair had been

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Alistair now? Who's

cooking for her? Folding her laundry? Bending over backward to

smile?

The door opened.

inside, took in the

kind of sigh

arms, trying to lift

limp,

down and simply

overpowered her half-hearted struggle.

distant. "You never answered me," she said

Richard stiffened.

can't she let

he'd seen it and just didn't care-too busy trying to decipher

more did she

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

fault, alright? Want to whip me? I'll get

fake, so carefully rehearsed-reminded Rebecca of

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 it and gave him one tiny lashing, he

death. Like Nathaniel had just murdered his

wanted to 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

enough. But next to Richard? Alistair looks like a

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

run toward him even while her

Chapter 38 Alone Now

her to stop.

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Now he was carrying her like she was something delicate. Placing

tucking her in like

She didn't resist.

she was back

He had no idea.

never had to

one apologizing and chasing,

loyal little lapdog,

Richard's.

he would've just

break, and

him, her

now, reaching for her hand and pressing it to

cheek.

don't be

Chapter 38 Alone Now

at him,

climbed onto the bed beside her and pulled her

She didn't fight it.

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

slow, distant. "Rick...

said easily. "Why do you think I came

let's get our license

and warm, "Sure. Whatever you

concerned,

Their posturing meant nothing.

was right-Cordelia

her completely under his thumb,

to win them over in no time, and that

with his father. One move, and she became the mistress of the Morgan