Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat 1/8 Eloise's first day of preschool was treated with more ceremony than a college freshman orientation , at least where Caroline and Alistair were concerned . Early that morning , Caroline dressed her in a pretty , comfortable long - sleeved floral dress , carefully braided her hair , and pinned it with sparkling crystal clips . Together with Alistair , they escorted her to preschool . They deliberately arrived early , and were greeted by both the principal and Eloise's teacher , who personally came out to welcome her . When Alistair saw the teacher , he secretly breathed a sigh of relief . She wasn't from Daniel's class . Thank goodness . Daniel was thoroughly spoiled and completely out of control . Alistair was summoned to school at least twice a week - either to hear complaints about Daniel's unmanageable behavior , or to grovel and apologize to the parents of children he'd bullied . Day after day , he kept bending over backwards for the other parents , never standing up for himself . He had no authority to discipline Daniel , while Rebecca , who never had to face the cold stares and anger from other parents , Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat couldn't be bothered to take Daniel's misbehavior seriously . 2/8 If that little monster had actually been Alistair's biological son , he would have spanked him ten times a day until he learned to behave . If Eloise had ended up in the same class as Daniel , Alistair would definitely have suggested that Caroline request a transfer to another class . Eloise was a sweet little princess who wouldn't hurt a fly . If Daniel ever bullied her , Alistair would never let him hear the end of it ! After forgetting to pick up Daniel on the first day , Richard seemed determined to make amends . He'd become noticeably more attentive to Daniel , even volunteering to take him to preschool despite his rush to get to the office . To be fair , relying on Rebecca to get Daniel to school would probably result in him being late every day . She'd grown accustomed to her carefree lifestyle without responsibilities , with no concept of time and sleeping in until whenever she naturally woke up . Daniel suddenly turned his head , staring in a particular direction . " Daddy ! I think I see Daddy over there . " Richard followed his gaze to where a man was ducking into a Maybach . His profile looked somewhat like Alistair's . Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat But how could it possibly be Alistair ? He's nothing but a pathetic , miserable loser ! Daniel kept insisting , " I saw Daddy ! That was Daddy ! " Richard's expression darkened . " Danny , how many times do your mother and I have to tell you ? I am your father ! " 3/8 " You look absolutely drained today , " Cordelia said , eyeing her daughter with concern . Her face quickly shifted from worry to anger . " What is Alistair thinking , letting you get into this state ? It's completely unacceptable ! Call him right now and tell him to come over . I need to have a serious word with that man ! " After barely sleeping for two days straight , Rebecca was running on fumes . She stared down at her plate , thinking the food wasn't quite as perfect as Alistair's cooking , which always seemed to hit just right . Still , the family cook had been around forever . Rebecca had eaten her meals for years before moving out . The familiar flavors were practically imprinted in her DNA , so she couldn't really complain . Ever since Rebecca had given Alistair's contact information to Vivienne , she had been seething . The thought of him acting all Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat 4/8 meek and obedient to her face while secretly planning his exit strategy made her blood boil . She was certain that if Alistair were standing in front of her right now , she'd make him regret it . Cordelia wouldn't stop harping on about Alistair . " If you hadn't been so desperate to be with him back then - insisting on keeping that child in your belly , determined to bring Danny into the world - your father and I would never have accepted him ! " Rebecca's relationship with Alistair had shocked everyone when it first happened . They weren't just from different social circles . Aside from his looks , Alistair brought absolutely nothing to the table as Rebecca's husband . Most people assumed Rebecca was just young and naive , that she'd been taken advantage of , but her love - struck brain wouldn't listen to reason and she was determined to be with him . " Over the years , I've come to see him as a decent , hardworking young man , " Cordelia continued . " Even with his modest circumstances , your father and I reluctantly accepted him . But what's going on with him now ? Does he think that since the child is older and you're not going anywhere , he can start slacking off ? " Cordelia's endless chatter was getting on Rebecca's nerves . T 0185 101 1omondiums Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat 5/8 Mainly because just thinking about Alistair irritated her . She wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces to ease the rage in her heart . " Mom , can we please stop talking about him ? " Rebecca finally spoke up . Cordelia , not understanding the true sentiment behind Rebecca's words , misinterpreted them as a defense of Alistair and shook her head disapprovingly . Afraid that Cordelia's continued nagging would make her lose control of the anger bubbling up inside her , Rebecca decided to call Anne to go shopping . " Vivienne says she's busy ? I bet she's just cozying up with some cute guy . " Anne's comment was less analysis and more gossip . She never missed a chance to criticize or belittle Vivienne and Alistair . Though Anne and Vivienne maintained a facade of harmony , it was purely superficial . Anne couldn't stand Vivienne's air of superiority , while Vivienne despised Anne's pettiness and tendency to stir up trouble . Since their families were business partners , they were forced to stay in touch to maintain family connections . Otherwise , they wouldn't even acknowledge each other if they crossed paths in their daily lives . " I really don't understand . " Anne continued , " Doesn't she Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat 6/8 usually act all high and mighty ? So why is she so fond of picking up other people's leftovers ? " Rebecca couldn't help thinking that Alistair wasn't exactly " leftovers " , strictly speaking . He'd been by her side since he was eighteen , with no chance to be with other women . On paper , he was divorced , but in reality , he was still an innocent virgin . Suddenly she felt annoyed . Why should Vivienne get so lucky ?! " Rebecca , " Anne warned thoughtfully , " if you ask me , you getting upset is exactly what Alistair wants . " " What do you mean ? " Rebecca asked , confused . " Alistair is deliberately hanging around Vivienne just to get your attention ! " " But … Vivienne is young and beautiful too , and from a good family … " " Don't be silly ! Think about it . Even if Vivienne is desperate for him , she's just having fun . She might fool around with him , but would she ever seriously marry him ? " " What if Vivienne's head over heels and won't settle for anyone but Alistair ? " Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat 7/8 Rebecca didn't even realize the slight panic in her voice as she suggested this possibility . Anne was too caught up in her own theory to notice anything unusual . " Even if Vivienne truly wanted to marry him , she'd never get past his parents ! It's different with you . You two were legally married . No matter how much your parents disapproved back then , they've had to accept it by now . " The only way for him to maintain his status and move up in society is to get back with you . It's so obvious . How could he not understand that ? " Rebecca thought Anne's analysis made perfect sense . She hadn't even realized that before Richard's return , he had consumed her thoughts completely . Now that he was back , ironically , her mind was filled with thoughts of Alistair , the very man she looked down on and had personally driven away . She smirked to herself . After all , if she hadn't been desperate for someone to fill a role in her life , a man with Alistair's modest background would never have had the chance to meet someone of her social standing . Alistair took the hint and walked away cleanly when she kicked him out , knowing that begging wouldn't get him anywhere . That look of relief on his face when they finalized their divorce Chapter 12 The Strategic Retreat was surely just a ploy , a strategic retreat . 8/8 He blocked me because he's pissed I left him for Richard . As if he could even compare to Richard ! What a joke . This reasoning made Rebecca feel somewhat better , but that nagging , undefined knot remained in her chest , making her restless and unable to focus on anything with her usual energy .