Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 47 Meant to Be

The window rolled halfway down. Caroline leaned over, waving lightly. "Bye, honey. Try to get some rest when you get home. As long as you're up in time to pick up Eloise, you're fine."

Alistair felt like a kindergartner being tucked in for a nap by a doting adult.

"Okay," he said with a smirk. "I got it."

The car pulled away, taking Caroline with it.

As Julian waited at the next red light, a grin tugged at his mouth until he finally let out a laugh.

Caroline gave him a death glare. "What are you laughing at?"

Julian didn't even try to hide it. "I was just thinking... isn't your husband twenty- four?"

"And?" Caroline narrowed her eyes.

Julian, undeterred and clearly asking for it, grinned. "Well... he

acts like he's four."

Her tone dropped about ten degrees. "Are you calling him immature?"

"No, no!" Julian quickly clarified. "He's calm, level-head, and:42

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Chapter 47 Meant to Be

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Caroline arched a brow. "Glad you're not completely blind, then."

Julian, risking his life, continued, "It's just that you treat him like he's Eloise." "What the hell are you talking about?"

Julian held up a hand, unbothered. "Come on-you told him to go home and take a nap."

Caroline snapped, "That just means we have a strong relationship! You should spend less time being jealous and more time trying to find someone who'll even think about marrying you."

Julian wisely shut up for a moment as the light turned green.

He eased into the intersection and then asked, "Alright, real talk.

What exactly about Alistair attracted you?"

Caroline turned her gaze to the passing scenery.

She and Julian had grown up together-no blood relation, but

emotionally closer than most siblings.

He was three years older, and the two of them had always clicked in a way that made real honesty possible.

Things she would never say to Mabel, she didn't mind sharing

with Julian.

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second and then said softly, "I

Meant to

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I've been waiting for all along. Like

chest twisted

to be the one for someone like her? Where the hell is my meant-to-be? Where are

Then again, he smirked.

time. I'm still

dropped his keys, and

carpet covered every inch of

underfoot.

on his phone for a bit, but the more he

more bored he got.

to take Caroline's advice and nap like a

the truth was, he wasn't tired. He'd

felt wide awake

is what boredom feels like when you're not running

317

being a "kept man" had

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eyes, he was running on fumes. Now? He'd leapt straight from

And it

clean-Caroline had made it clear

cooked breakfast on a whim, both Caroline and Eloise loved it-yet by dinner, she'd sat him down and told him

It was the deal-he was there to keep Eloise company and handle

to that arrangement with

him do more. As if she was afraid he might burn himself

his eyes started to sting. For a second, he thought about finding a

time.

dismissed

He couldn't.

school called? What if she got sick? He'd been through this before-kids her age were stronger than they looked, but group settings

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Meant

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start a movie. Five minutes in, he turned it off again. Nothing held his attention. He picked up his phone and started scrolling all over

by total accident, he clicked into a

didn't question it-just followed the prompt. After downloading the companion app and without quite realizing how it happened, Alistair was

writer.

app greeted him, "and welcome to Day

he'd just found the game he'd been looking for.

an entire story-messy, thrilling, soaked in drama and heartbreak-began to

started outlining it using

time to pick up Eloise, he had

debut novel.

changed clothes, and

adjusted better than anyone

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during

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