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

birth, she was still only twenty-four-naturally beautiful and generous when

Chapter 38 Alone Now

radiant, collagen-rich and

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of

kind that clung

stormed out after their last fight. He hadn't

son, Daniel, was

up on

hear her father's voice echoing in her

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

family. You made your choice-you live. with the

mother had wept softly

We'd never hurt you. Even when we didn't approve of Alistair, we gave

words-those hurt the

He hit

eyes, his voice sharp with emotion. Chapter 38 Alone

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

clutched her head, trying to

still there,

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

up and flung

silence didn't

her heartbeat,

buzz in her skull

slid from the chair, sinking to the cold

drained.

alone now. Truly,

years ago-when she thought things were at

felt

Chapter 38 Alone Now

Alistair had been

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now? Who's he with? Some

her? Folding her laundry? Bending

smile?

The door opened.

stepped inside, took in the disarray,

of sigh laced

under her arms, trying to lift

went limp, resisting in

down and

easily overpowered her half-hearted struggle. She let

glazed and distant. "You never

Richard stiffened.

Why can't

and just didn't

did

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

a gentler voice, coaxing her, "Okay, okay, it's all my fault, alright? Want to whip me? I'll get the belt;

Rebecca of something her mother

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

as death. Like Nathaniel had

slick. Puts on a show. And if you insist on jumping. into

But next to Richard?

dared praise Alistair in front of her-let alone slam Richard-Rebecca would've

toward him even while her parents pleaded

Chapter 38 Alone Now

her to stop.

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her like she was

the bed, tucking her in like he'd done it a hundred

She didn't resist.

won. That she was back to normal-calm and

He had no idea.

to win

one apologizing and chasing, the one

her loyal little lapdog, then she'd spent years

Richard's.

Nathaniel, he would've just pulled the

and

him, her expression

crouched beside her now, reaching for her hand and pressing

cheek.

be mad

Chapter 38 Alone Now

at him,

onto the bed beside her

She didn't fight it.

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up Danny today, yeah?" he whispered, kissing

came out slow, distant.

easily. "Why do you

get our license

warm, "Sure. Whatever

far as he was concerned,

Their posturing meant nothing.

right-Cordelia and

his thumb, the

She would manage to win them over in no time, and

One move, and she became the mistress of the Morgan