Divorced Heiress
Chapter 11

My parents gave me a tour of the entire company, from the executives' offices to the production plant, and finally took me to the workshop of the great designer Patrick Moreau, the place where he has created the most successful haute couture collections. "Mr. Patrick, I see that you did not attend this morning's meeting, I would like to introduce you to the new vice president of Doinel." My father spoke to the man who was creating new designs with his back turned.

Upon hearing my father's voice, he stood up, revealing his six-foot frame, and turned towards us with a furrowed brow. His ocean blue eyes fixed on me and the corners of his lips curved slightly into a smile that seemed arrogant. He didn't seem as old as I imagined, I suppose he couldn't be much older than his thirties, which surprised me.

"Mr. Doinel, I apologize for not attending the meeting. As you can understand, the launch of the new collection is approaching, and I cannot afford the slightest distraction." He said with a deep voice, accompanied by his furrowed brow.

It made me think that he was one of those who didn't like the idea of my appointment. However, I dismissed that thought when he approached me, took my hand, and kissed my knuckles, making me feel a little uncomfortable. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Moreau. You are a legend in the fashion world." I replied, not wiping the smile off my face. Apparently, he liked hearing that, judging by the sparkle in his eyes.

Patrick was a globally renowned designer for the success of his designs for Doinel. He had been on trend in recent years, and a great part of my father's company's prestige was thanks to him. But I never imagined he would be so young. "Please, just call me Patrick." He said before I could say another word. My mother hurried to speak.

"What news is Patrick referring to?" My body tensed, as did my father's, and Abby was the only one who could do something to get us out of answering that question.

"I'm Abby Dubois, daughter of the partners of Doinel and, of course, Paul's sister. Let me tell you, I am a big fan of yours. I love all your designs." My friend said as she shook hands with Patrick, who looked at her indifferently, erasing his slight smile. I took the opportunity to approach my mother, who looked confused by Patrick's words about the wave of gossip.

"Don't worry, it's about the news of my divorce. It couldn't go unnoticed, considering Alexander is the president of a renowned company." I reassured my mother, telling her only part of what had happened. Judging by her relieved expression, she believed it all. "But of course, Alexander wouldn't wait to announce his divorce. Anything can be expected of him." My mother replied. With her response, it was clear that she still didn't know the real news, and I hoped she wouldn't find out. Otherwise, she would be outraged that we had kept it from her.

After finishing the tour of Patrick's workshop, my father guided me to what would be my office. I smiled as I saw how spacious and well-decorated it was, with an incredible view of the city. He gave me clear instructions for my work.

I would be in charge of the upcoming collections alongside Patrick. He would work his magic, while I would handle the finances and production of each design. I couldn't be more excited.

He introduced me to my assistant, Jack. He had been my father's right-hand man for a long time, and although I initially refused, my father insisted that he was the only person he trusted for me.

Besides Paul and Abby, he was the only one in the company who knew my true identity. I ended up accepting because my father would leave the weight of the company on my shoulders, and he would only make an appearance when necessary. This was undoubtedly a great challenge, and I was more than delighted to accept it.

After a long time catching up on the state of the company, my parents left to spend time together. My father had missed my mother since she went to Orlando to see me, and he had prepared a romantic date.

I couldn't help but smile with happiness for my parents. Their love was still so alive as the years went by, they were made for each other. They were the ones who made me believe in true love, although my true love was within me.

My friend stayed in the office and stopped Paul when he was about to leave my office.

"Well, now that you're officially the vice president of Doinel, I was wondering if you need a right-hand man, I mean, I know they assigned Jack to you, but I can be your right-hand woman."

My friend offered to work by my side and honestly, it didn't seem like such a bad idea, after all, she would be representing her parents as a partner just like Paul.

"You're hired." I said.

Her surprised face let me know that she didn't expect that response at all and she clapped her hands excitedly.

"I will be the best right-hand person you've ever had in your life. I might be sassy, but I'm very serious about business. And now, to celebrate, I want to invite you all to Secret Bar. Of course, Sarah won't have a drop of alcohol in her condition, but we have to go for old times' sake."

Abby was bursting with excitement, and I didn't know if it was because we would be working together or because she was remembering the years we used to go out with Britney, my second-best friend.

"In her condition?" Paul's question made me want to kill Abby for her loose tongue. Nobody was supposed to find out about my pregnancy and she was already spilling the information.

Abby looked at me after wiping away her smile and sat up straight in the chair, ready to come up with a bad excuse.

"Yes, in her condition as vice president, she can't come to the company with a hangover. What impression would she be giving? She would be proving that bitch right, the one who thought she could take such an important position. So, just water, my friend." Abby said, although it sounded believable, Paul kept looking at her as if he knew she was hiding something.

He knew when she lied. Abby was an open book to him.

"You might be able to lie to everyone, but do you think you can lie to your brother? I've known you since the day you were born, and I know when you lie." Paul said. Abby's face looked shook. She had been exposed by her own brother.

"I'm pregnant, Paul." I said calmly before he could chew my friend alive for covering me.

His brown eyes didn't take long to look at me. He couldn't hide the surprise at my sudden confession. His mouth was slightly open and his tense body didn't move a single muscle for a few seconds until he cleared his throat, as if coming out of a trance. Of course, the news was going to shock him, just like everyone else.

He got up from the couch, adjusting his expensive suit jacket, and walked calmly to the desk to sit in the chair across from me. For a moment, I thought he was going to reprimand me, but I erased that idea when he spoke softly.

"Sarah, you're pregnant? Are you serious?" He asked in a low voice, as if he didn't want Abby to hear what he was saying. I nodded in response, and he closed his mouth to tighten his jaw.

"And that idiot was able to make up so many rumors about you, knowing that you're carrying his child. What a sorry excuse for a man." Paul looked annoyed just mentioning my ex-husband. I assumed, just like Abby, he felt disgusted by him, and I didn't blame them. Thanks to him, I left behind my elite life, my luxuries, my family, my friends-I gave up everything for him.

"He's a womanizer who doesn't even know. It was the best thing Sarah could have done. That baby doesn't deserve to have such a horrible father like him." Abby intervened in our conversation, and Paul turned to give her a sharp look for interfering in our chat. "I understand, I won't say a word." She said.

"Paul, I don't want to talk about that. Instead, I take this opportunity to apologize for involving you in such rumors, they've taken everything out of context." I touched his hand on the desk, and his gaze settled on it before he took it in his hands, making me feel uncomfortable.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Sari. Out of all the rumors I've been involved in, this one has been the one I liked the most. Even though everything is false, it doesn't change the fact that I would like to be that person everyone talks about. I would love to help you forget the bad times you went through with that family." He confessed, and I was left dumbfounded, unable to do anything but look at him as if he had gone mad.

What were you talking to me about?

Didn't you care about the slander and bad comments that you earned thanks to a simple hug that was taken out of context?

Despite the bad time and bad experience you were going through because of me, being labeled as my lover and the cause of my divorce, you still wanted to stay by my side and not as my best friend's brother or my partner.

Was that what you were trying to tell me? Because if so, you'd gone completely mad. I didn't want to keep involving you in gossip or damaging your image by being so close to Lancaster's divorcee, I would never allow that. Let them talk all they wanted about me, but never about my loved ones!

Didn't it matter to you that I was a divorced and pregnant woman?

Why were you telling me this?

Besides, the last thing I wanted was to start a romance after my bad experience. I couldn't think of anything else but my baby and getting back the life I left behind for a man who didn't deserve it.

"Oh, how much love is in the office? Love, love. Why am I single? Where is my love?" Abby's whispers snapped me out of my thoughts, and I wanted to sew her mouth shut so she would stop being so rude.

Paul, who was looking at me with a twinkle in his eyes, let out a chuckle upon hearing his sister's craziness.

"Paul, I don't want to give you false hope. Right now I want to be alone and focus on my baby and my work. Don't get any ideas about me, I don't want to hurt you." I said, being so direct with Paul, but it didn't erase the smile from his face. On the contrary, he kissed my knuckles before letting go of my hand.

"Oh, my heart. I don't want to find my love anymore." Abby sounded as if I had said it to her and not to her brother.

Paul quickly glanced back at her and then looked at me intensely, still not losing the twinkle in his eyes.

"I understand you perfectly, and I know everything is still too soon for you. You're hurt, and I understand that. You don't know how much I admire your strength. You're still standing here despite the difficult situation you went through."

I squirmed uncomfortably in my expensive swivel chair. I didn't want to touch the subject of my marriage or my divorce because, even if I wanted to, I couldn't heal the wound so soon. It hurt to talk about him and what I had to endure for love. "However, it's me who decides whether to have hopes. In any case, I would be hurting myself by insisting. But remember, Rome wasn't built in a day."