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 it came to skincare.

Chapter 38 Alone Now

radiant, collagen-rich and

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of light.

kind that clung

had stormed out after their last

Daniel, was still

up on the

father's voice echoing in

marrying Richard, but don't think

made your choice-you live. with

mother had wept

didn't approve of Alistair,

words-those hurt

want Daddy. He hit me. He

his voice

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

head, trying to

Anne's voice was still there,

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,

up and flung the phone

the silence

could hear her heartbeat,

high-pitched buzz in

from the chair, sinking to the cold

drained.

now.

she thought things were at

felt like

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Alistair had been with

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Alistair now? Who's he

cooking for her? Folding her

smile?

The door opened.

took in the disarray, and

of sigh laced with reluctant

under her arms,

went limp, resisting

down and simply scooped her

her half-hearted struggle.

never answered me," she said

Richard stiffened.

Why can't

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

did she

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an answer she

"Okay, okay, it's all my fault, alright? Want to whip me? I'll get the belt; you can go

carefully rehearsed-reminded Rebecca of

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 changed. You

Nathaniel had just murdered his family or

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

think Alistair wasn't good enough. But next to Richard? Alistair looks like a goddamn

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

toward him even while her

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her to stop.

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her like she was something delicate.

tucking her in like

She didn't resist.

she was back to

He had no idea.

had to

was always the one apologizing and chasing, the one who refused to

been her loyal little lapdog, then she'd spent

Richard's.

weren't for Cordelia and Nathaniel, he would've

break, and then waltz back in

at him,

her now, reaching for

cheek.

don't be mad anymore,

Chapter 38 Alone Now

at him,

onto the bed beside

She didn't fight it.

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Danny today, yeah?" he whispered,

came out slow, distant. "Rick...

"Why do you think I came

our license tomorrow," she

warm, "Sure. Whatever you

as he was concerned, her parents

Their posturing meant nothing.

mother was right-Cordelia and Nathaniel

completely under his thumb, the girl wouldn't hesitate to sing

to his parents. She would manage to win them over in

like his mother had done with his father. One move, and