Chapter 13 Like a Stranger 1/9 After dropping Eloise off at preschool , Caroline headed to work while Alistair took a taxi to Everett Villa . The Everetts had prepared all sorts of ingredients , with several household staff ready to help with the prep work . They handled everything from sorting and washing vegetables to chopping and mincing . Alistair only needed to do the actual cooking . He'd never received this kind of treatment when he was with Rebecca . Whenever Alistair joined Rebecca for dinner with her family , he never got to sit at the table and enjoy a leisurely meal with everyone else . The kitchen was his domain . It was perfectly normal for him to prepare 15 or 20 dishes all by himself . By the time he finished cooking , everyone had nearly finished eating , chatting happily and playing with the kids . He would quietly sit at the edge of the table , picking at whatever leftovers remained . This had been his life for years . Alistair couldn't say he was used to it - he just didn't have the right to protest . Chapter 13 Like a Stranger 2/9 Two million dollars might be nothing more than a replaceable sports car to wealthy girls like Rebecca , but for a powerless nobody like Alistair , it was a crushing mountain , suffocating his freedom and self - respect . Thankfully , that was all in the past now . Alistair prepared the meal with ease , even finding time to chat with Vivienne when she popped into the kitchen to say hello . Vivienne's eyes lit up when she saw how vibrant Alistair looked . It was like finding a diamond in the rough - something that had been there all along , just waiting for someone to polish off the dirt and let it shine again . What a spirited , talented young man . It was completely unrecognizable from the quiet , withdrawn Alistair she remembered . For a split second , the years melted away , and Vivienne could see clearly the spirited young man he'd been in high school . Back then , even though Alistair was poor , his eyes had sparkled with dreams of the future . When he dropped out of school to become the father of Rebecca's child , that light in his eyes disappeared . It was such a mess . Chapter 13 Like a Stranger Vivienne couldn't help but sigh . 3/9 Yes , the situation was unfair to Alistair , but whatever had happened between them was their choice . It wasn't her place to interfere in their relationship . The most she could do was stand up for him when Rebeccal belittled him in front of everyone , even if it meant risking Rebecca's anger . Seeing that faint , long - absent sparkle return to Alistair's eyes filled Vivienne with genuine happiness for him . " Thank you so much . My mother had a wonderful time today , " she said , reaching for her phone . " Let me send your payment . " Alistair shook his head . " That's not necessary . I'm glad your mother likes it . I don't need payment . " Vivienne could tell he wasn't just being polite , which made her anxious . " That won't work ! I can't let you do all this for nothing . Is the amount too low ? We could- " It's not that , " he interrupted . " I've actually been wanting to thank you . " Vivienne understood what he meant and felt a twinge of regret . " I haven't done anything special . At least let me buy you a dinner next time ? " Alistair just smiled politely without saying a word . Chapter 13 Like a Stranger 4/9 Vivienne knew exactly what was happening . It was what she'd expected , and she didn't feel rejected or embarrassed . Yes , she was attracted to Alistair , but unlike some of the rich girls in her social circle , she wasn't looking for casual thrills or a quick fling . She was too rational to entertain impossible fantasies . Alistair had nothing against Vivienne personally . In fact , he was grateful to her . Despite coming from money , Vivienne was gentle and good - natured without a trace of entitlement . He thought highly of her , but that was where it ended . She belonged to Rebecca's social circle , and he preferred to keep his distance from that world . Vivienne smoothly changed the subject . " You'll laugh , but ever since my mom tried the chicken noodle soup Rebecca brought over , she hasn't stopped talking about it . " Midway through , she noticed that while Alistair's expression remained neutral , his eyes had grown distant . She stopped herself , realizing she'd accidentally mentioned Rebecca . Vivienne sighed inwardly . She and Rebecca had grown up together , so she knew Rebecca's temperament all too well - spoiled , willful , and determined to do Chapter 13 Like a Stranger things her own way . Only around Richard did Rebecca ever show her softer side . 5/9 She figured Alistair must have suffered quite a bit working for Rebecca , leaving him with some emotional scars . Since Alistair had refused any payment , Vivienne had prepared a gift for him . Worried he might feel uncomfortable accepting it , she was relieved when he did . Alistair politely declined her invitation to stay for dinner , claiming he had other commitments . As he left , Vivienne walked him to the door herself . Just then , Vivienne's phone rang . She glanced oddly at Alistair when she saw who was calling . " Hello , Rebecca ? " At the mention of Rebecca's name , Alistair's face went blank as he walked away . " Go for a spa day ? I'm sorry , Rebecca , but I can't make it . I've got things to do today . " " That's ridiculous . " Vivienne rolled her eyes at whatever Rebecca said next . " I seriously can't get away . Don't start with that nonsense , okay ? " By the time she hung up , Alistair had already walked out the front door . He gave her a quick wave without looking back Chapter 13 Like a Stranger before disappearing . 6/9 Vivienne stopped in her tracks , Rebecca's words still echoing in her mind . She couldn't help but shake her head . She'd got this feeling that Rebecca was going to regret this big time . Whatever . Not my problem . Vivienne watched Alistair vanish around the corner , then headed back inside . It was time to finish eating . She was still hungry . Come to think of it , Alistair was an amazing cook . That silly Rebecca was eating like a queen every day ! If it were Vivienne , she wouldn't let someone with those cooking skills walk away so easily . Being obsessed with love is bad enough . Even worse is the moment she realizes her feelings have shifted from her ideal man to that loser she always dismissed . Wonder how she'll handle that reality check ? Rebecca talked trash about Alistair non - stop , but Vivienne could tell she secretly had feelings for him . Alistair strolled calmly under the warm spring sunshine , pulling out his phone to make a call . Caroline had texted him two minutes earlier about a designer ajes joj joli Chapter 13 Like a Stranger 7/9 coming to take measurements for his spring wardrobe , asking when he'd be back . The call connected , and Alistair spoke up , " I- " " Miss me already ? We just said goodbye . " Alistair looked up into a pair of eyes gleaming with mockery . He knew those eyes all too well . A Mercedes was parked beside a willow tree sprouting fresh buds . Rebecca sat in the driver's seat with the window halfway down , her expression unreadable . Alistair looked away without reacting and kept walking . " I'm heading back now- " Alistair ! " Rebecca suddenly raised her voice , cutting him off again . Alistair frowned . Her tone was equally familiar to him . It meant a storm was brewing . But things were different now . Their divorce was final , their arrangement over . They had nothing to do with each other anymore , and he had zero interest in dealing with her . Caroline's voice came through the phone . " Are you having trouble ? Send me your location and I'll have someone check on you . " She had heard Rebecca's shout through the phone . Chapter 13 Like a Stranger 8/9 Alistair was about to say everything was fine when he heard a loud slam behind him. Rebecca had gotten out of her car and was actually chasing after him ! Alistair was beyond frustrated . He'd long suspected there was something wrong with this woman . She's completely lost it . When is she going to see a doctor about that ? www " It's fine . I can handle this , " he said calmly . Alistair turned to face Rebecca as she stormed after him , fury written all over her face . When she raised her hand to slap him , he smoothly caught her wrist mid - air .