Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Mark of Shame

Rebecca truly wanted to find a new husband, but Cordelia thought she was joking.

This unexpected reaction left Rebecca completely flustered.

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Although Rebecca was the apple of her parents‘ eyes, her rebellious behavior six years ago had deeply hurt them and nearly severed their relationship. Their reconciliation was barely two years old, and she didn’t dare act as recklessly as before. She needed to plan her next moves carefully.

She managed to blame this situation on Alistair. He was too devious, too cunning, too despicable!

He had gone to extreme lengths to stay by her side, deliberately winning over and flattering Nathaniel and Cordelia. His scheming had worked perfectly–Cordelia now approved of him!

Yet Rebecca never considered that without Alistair’s humbling himself before Nathaniel and Cordelia, their relationship would never have healed so quickly.

*****

Alistair had the misfortune of dealing with an irresponsible, selfish father.

Yet, he was determined to be perfect in the same role.

Chapter 17 Mark of Shame

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He quickly embraced his position as Eloise’s father. When Eloise had her first day of preschool, he was extremely worried.

Most children struggle to adjust on their first day of preschool, often crying for their parents.

Daniel had been challenging.

He cried for three whole months.

The main issue was that Rebecca would cave and let him stay home whenever Daniel threw a tantrum. Her endless spoiling meant it took Daniel three months to adapt to preschool life.

During this period, Alistair suffered tremendously.

Since he was always responsible for taking Daniel to preschool, Daniel naturally viewed him as the villain.

Daniel hated him during that time. Alistair still had a scar between his thumb and index finger from when Daniel bit him. The little brat had used all his strength, breaking Alistair’s skin immediately and causing significant bleeding.

That was impossible to expect Rebecca to discipline Daniel.

That day, when Daniel bit Alistair’s hand bloody, Rebecca. rushed over, concerned only about Daniel. She lovingly had Daniel rinse his mouth and carefully check if his front teeth had loosened. After ensuring Daniel was fine, she impatiently tossed the word “useless” at Alistair before taking Daniel out to play.

Chapter 17 Mark of Shame

Alistair couldn’t go to the hospital for the wound.

He had no money on him.

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Besides, he couldn’t leave freely without Rebecca’s permission.

He placed his hand under the faucet, rinsing away the blood with cold water, then took a bandage from the first aid kit and applied it.

Fortunately, the wound scabbed over within two days.

Alistair shook his head, forcing the unpleasant memories from

his mind.

Those unbearable days were finally behind him.

Eloise would only heal him with her sweet smile. She would never pinch, kick, bite, or curse at him.

But in Alistair’s eyes, even Eloise struggled with the first day of preschool, facing unfamiliar surroundings and strange faces.

Would she be scared? Would she feel nervous?

Would she dare tell her teacher when she needed to use the

bathroom?

Were there little tyrants like Daniel who enjoyed tormenting others?

Chapter 17 Mark of Shame

Had any of the children reached out to be her friend?

Was she homesick already?

Did the preschool food suit her taste?

God, the worries of a father were endless!

Alistair’s gaze returned to the scar on his hand between his thumb and index finger.

It was ugly.

And there were many more ugly scars across his body.

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His back was crisscrossed with marks from where Nathaniel had whipped him after Rebecca brought him home.

There was another scar on his left ankle.

That scar came from when Rebecca had been on the phone with Richard, who was abroad. She’d flown into a rage after he’d promised to go home but changed his mind at the last minute. In her anger, she’d thrown a glass at him. It shattered on the ground, and a flying shard had sliced his skin.

Every scar on his body told a story from those six painful years.

They were like badges of shame that would follow him for the

rest of his life.

Just seeing them triggered unwanted memories of his

Chapter 17 Mark of Shame

humiliating past.

He

also worried about what would happen if Eloise noticed them and asked questions.

He couldn’t bring himself to lie to his little angel.

He realized the system displayed merchandise based on hist available system credit balance.

He also discovered that he couldn’t simply purchase whatever he wanted just because he had the money.

For instance, the Opportunity Card he’d recently bought now appeared grayed out with a countdown timer beneath it.

Chapter 17 Mark of Shame

Chapter 17 Mark of Shame

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The mirror reflected the same man; his skin was pale from lack of sunlight, but no longer dull and lifeless.