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.

reflection looked polished, almost untouched. Her skin had

she was still only twenty-four-naturally beautiful and generous when it came

Chapter 38 Alone Now

radiant,

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of light. Like her, it

The kind that

their

son, Daniel, was still with her

night curled up on the couch, crying, herself

hear her father's

from marrying Richard, but

You made your choice-you live. with the

had wept softly

parents, Rebecca. We'd never hurt you. Even when we didn't approve of Alistair, we gave him a chance. But with Richard... we couldn't.

Daniel's words-those hurt

Daddy. He hit me. He hit

his voice sharp with emotion. Chapter 38

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

trying to

still there, chirping away in

housewife. Do you know what my mom 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

the silence didn't

her heartbeat,

in her skull wouldn't go

chair, sinking to the

drained.

now. Truly,

thought things were

hadn't felt

Chapter 38 Alone Now

Alistair had

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Who's he with? Some

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

smile?

The door opened.

in the

sigh laced

slipped under her arms,

limp, resisting

and simply scooped

her half-hearted struggle. She let it

distant. "You never answered

Richard stiffened.

Why can't

it and just didn't care-too busy

did she

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

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

fake, so carefully rehearsed-reminded Rebecca of something her

new boyfriend came to us, all noble and self-sacrificing. Told your father, 'Punish me all you want, just please support our marriage.' But the

face-cold as death. Like Nathaniel had just

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

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

her-let alone slam Richard-Rebecca would've gone ballistic. Even

toward him even

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her to stop.

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her like she was something delicate.

bed, tucking her in like he'd

She didn't resist.

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

He had no idea.

never had to win

the one apologizing and chasing, the one who refused to give

had once been her loyal little lapdog, then she'd

Richard's.

it weren't for Cordelia and Nathaniel, he would've just pulled

wait for her to break, and

looked at him, her expression

beside her now, reaching for her hand and pressing it

cheek.

please don't be

Chapter 38 Alone Now

at him,

beside her and pulled

She didn't fight it.

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today, yeah?" he whispered, kissing her

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

"Why do you think I came

let's get our

warm, "Sure.

he was concerned,

Their posturing meant nothing.

was right-Cordelia and Nathaniel didn't

he had her completely under his thumb, the girl wouldn't hesitate to

his parents. She would manage to win them over in no time,

his mother had done with his father. One move, and she became