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.

the mirror, her reflection looked polished, almost untouched. Her skin

after giving birth, she was still only twenty-four-naturally beautiful and generous when it came to

Chapter 38 Alone Now

radiant,

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of light. Like her, it

that

had stormed out after their last fight.

Daniel, was still with

spent that entire night curled up on the

her father's voice

you from marrying Richard, but don't think

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

mother had wept

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

Daniel's words-those hurt

hit me. He

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

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

trying

voice was still there, chirping away in her

She went off about how Vivienne's so much better than me at everything. Again! So I snapped

hung up and

the silence didn't

her heartbeat, pounding

buzz in her skull wouldn't go

from the chair, sinking

drained.

now.

thought things were at

hadn't felt

Chapter 38 Alone Now

then, Alistair had been

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Alistair now? Who's he with? Some stunning

for her? Folding her laundry? Bending over backward to

smile?

The door opened.

stepped inside, took in the disarray, and

sigh laced with reluctant

slipped under her arms, trying to lift

went limp,

down and

her half-hearted

glazed and distant. "You never answered me," she

Richard stiffened.

with this. Why can't she let

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

did she

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an answer she liked? What good

okay, it's all my fault, alright? Want to whip

so carefully rehearsed-reminded Rebecca of something her mother

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

death. Like Nathaniel

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

good enough. But next to Richard? Alistair looks like a goddamn

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

him even

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her to stop.

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he was carrying her like she was something delicate. Placing

tucking her in like he'd

She didn't resist.

thought he'd won. That she

He had no idea.

to win

one apologizing and chasing, the one

once been her loyal little lapdog,

Richard's.

he would've just pulled the same old

for her to break, and then waltz

him,

crouched beside her now, reaching for her hand

cheek.

please don't be mad anymore,

Chapter 38 Alone Now

stared at him,

the bed beside her

She didn't fight it.

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today,

distant. "Rick... will you

said easily. "Why do you think I came back?

get our

indulgent and warm, "Sure. Whatever you

was concerned, her

Their posturing meant nothing.

was right-Cordelia and Nathaniel

thumb, the girl wouldn't

to win them

with his father. One