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

Chapter 38 Alone Now

2/14

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

3/14

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.

Chapter 38 Alone Now

4/14

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.

the mirror, her reflection looked polished, almost

twenty-four-naturally beautiful and generous when it came to skincare. Her

Chapter 38 Alone Now

radiant, collagen-rich

5/14

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

The kind that clung to

after their

was still

curled up on the

her father's voice

you from marrying Richard, but

You made your choice-you live. with the

wept

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

Daniel's words-those hurt

hit me. He

Richard's red-rimmed eyes, his voice

6/14

even your parents' daughter anymore? They disown you the second you get

her head, trying to block it

there, chirping

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

and flung

silence didn't bring

her heartbeat, pounding

buzz in

sinking to the cold floor, limp

drained.

was alone now.

years ago-when she thought things were at

hadn't felt

Chapter 38 Alone Now

had been

7/14

is Alistair now? Who's he with? Some

her laundry?

smile?

The door opened.

in

kind of sigh laced with

arms, trying to lift

went limp,

crouched down and simply

easily overpowered her half-hearted struggle.

"You never answered me," she

Richard stiffened.

with this. Why can't she let it

he'd seen it and just didn't care-too busy trying to decipher Nathaniel's motives. But

more did

Chapter 38 Alone Now

8/14

answer she liked? What good does dragging

coaxing her, "Okay, okay, it's all my fault, alright? Want to whip me? I'll get the belt; you can go wild -just don't

so carefully rehearsed-reminded Rebecca of something

me all you want, just please support our marriage.' But the second your dad took him up on it and gave him one tiny

death. Like 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,

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

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

toward him even while her parents pleaded

Chapter 38 Alone Now

her to stop.

9/14

was carrying her like

in like

She didn't resist.

That she

He had no idea.

to win Rebecca

chasing, the one who refused

her loyal little lapdog, then she'd spent

Richard's.

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

wait for her to break, and then waltz back in like

at him,

now, reaching for her

cheek.

don't be

Chapter 38 Alone Now

at

onto the bed beside her and

She didn't fight it.

10/14

Danny today, yeah?" he

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

course," he said easily. "Why do you think I came back? To

let's get our

warm, "Sure. Whatever you

far as he was concerned, her parents

Their posturing meant nothing.

mother was right-Cordelia

completely under his thumb, the girl wouldn't hesitate

to his parents. She would manage to win them

One