Divorced Heiress
Chapter 31

During the opening show, I dedicated myself to admire each design that passed in front of my eyes. I members again. With my mother, I shared opinions about some striking designs, how well the models wore them, and My father looked serious, and I would have thought it was his expression at these types of events, if it I didn't ask or say a word about it, because I knew it was referring to the unpleasant encounter with A lecture coming; I deserved it for enduring her for years without doing anything to defend myself. Foolish.

"Okay, I don't want to distract you or anything, but the one who shall not be named hasn't stopped st of the live music, I could hear her clearly.

I didn't even dare to search for the man with my gaze; he wasn't worth it.

ced myself to set aside the Lancaster family and everything related to them, in order to focus on what was truly important, so I didn't see any of the family

ality of the fabrics; there was definitely a lot of potential on the runway.

't for him telling me before the show started, "We'll talk at home."

and her son. Since then, he hadn't hidden the displeasure on his face about how I was treated by my ex-mother-in-law, and rightfully so. I could see the

t you since he arrived. He must be dying inside seeing what he lost for a bitch." Abby whispered in my ear from the seat behind me. Despite the loud volume

eat, and my hair didn't move anymore.

He stopped mattering to me a long time ago; I no longer felt anything for Alexander. My heart didn't s His actions took care of killing any feeling with the worst betrayal. I wasn't going to tolerate, let alone I got over him, it was difficult to completely remove him from my heart, but the wounds healed thanks to "Let him keep looking at whatever he wants, I don't care at all." I responded indifferently, not taking m Paul noticed what we were talking about and glanced at Abby while squirming in his seat, trying to ge "I know you don't care about that jerk at all, and I congratulate you for it, but I'm curious. Do you know whispered again, unaware of the discomfort she was causing Paul as she gossiped openly. Now that she mentioned it, I realized that I was not the only one who had noticed a big change in Alex I couldn't resist Abby's contagious curiosity and discreetly looked at the seats on the other side of the lodged itself in my stomach. I wanted to slap myself for allowing myself to feel whatever it was I was f I shuddered as a chill ran down my spine and felt compelled to quickly look away from the dark-haire..........who almost managed to intimidate me. I had no idea why he was looking at me like that. Maybe it was because of guilt or maybe it was because I refused to accept Gina's apologies.

,infidelity. Adding to that, the gems of his mother and sister, I was more than done with the Lancasters.

Tristan and the unconditional love from everyone around me. The only thing I could feel for Alexander now was pity.

off the models showcasing the Spring-Summer collection from Lancaster Collection. I couldn't deny that they excelled with the designs they were launching. ortable.

Whatever it was, it made me really uncomfortable.

happened to him? Did he have an accident or something? He looks very different, even his skin is paler as if he hasn't seen a little sun in his life." My friend especially that he was using a wheelchair.

ay until I met a shining gaze that conveyed tenderness and warmth, something I hadn't seen before from him. It made my skin tingle, and a tingling sensation with just his gaze.

"I have no idea what happened to him, and I repeat, I couldn't care less." I returned my attention to the new models coming out one after another, trying to erase that lingering gaze from my mind.

"Do you know what seems strange and has made me think more than usual? It's that in the latest news I saw about him, he wasn't in a wheelchair and looked as he always did, with his athlete's body and cold gaze. That man over there even seems tender, with no malice in his eyes. Is it perhaps a weird marketing strategy?" Abby kept talking about that man who kept staring at me from the other side, and I turned my head to give my friend an expressionless look.

Although it also made me curious, as I thought I saw a different Alexander from the man in the wheelchair, nevertheless, I didn't dwell on the matter as much as Abby did, and I preferred it to remain silent, considering the subject closed, as I didn't have answers to her questions.

In what language should I tell her that I didn't care?

Where could I find the power button?

"Abby, could you please be quiet? Sarah has already told you that she doesn't care, let's enjoy the show, that's why we came." Paul scolded her, giving her a stern look, and only then could the topic of my ex-husband be dropped, allowing her to settle into her seat in complete silence.

I expected her to complain in her mind about her brother's interruption.

"I hope you don't mind that I intervened." He whispered apologetically near my face, while he took my hand on my crossed legs and I gave him a smile without showing my teeth.

"On the contrary, thank you for making her quiet, this is not a good time for her antics." I whispered back to him, and he smiled before kissing my knuckles, causing a tingling sensation to run through my arm, reaching my neck.

I ignored that feeling and once again focused all my attention on the show in front of me without further interruptions, and without letting go of Paul's hand, it somehow made me feel comfortable with its soft and warm touch.

Some time later, the show came to an end, giving way to the presentation of the designers and representatives of each brand featured in the opening show. It was obvious that Alexander would make an appearance on the runway at this point, and honestly, I wanted to savor the beautiful experience of the Spring-Summer designs, I didn't need to see more.

I had already set my sights on the good work of the brands that wanted to work with Doinel, and that was more than enough. At the banquet, I would personally introduce myself to each of them and also congratulate them on the great work they have done. Along with Jack and Michelle, we would find the best options for collaboration.

"Shall we head to the banquet? I can't stand another second sitting down." I asked my parents before I started feeling uncomfortable again at the thought of crossing paths with Alexander, when he made his appearance. Just thinking about that look from a moment ago...

"Of course, we've seen enough." My father's words felt like they had a double meaning, but I didn't pay much attention to it, as we would have a serious and long father-daughter talk when we got home.

"Whoever wants to stay is free to do so, we'll go ahead to the banquet." My father announced to the entire Doinel team. To my surprise, everyone stood up from their seats except for Michelle, who wanted to continue enjoying the show.

Paul offered me his arm as we got up from our seats, and I took it before following in my parents' footsteps to the banquet hall, leaving behind the opening show that had come to an end for tonight, along with the negative vibes I suddenly felt. "You can't stand Alexander's presence, can you?" Paul spoke as soon as we crossed the exit door. It sounded more like an affirmation than a question.

I wasn't obligated to answer Paul, however, I wanted to clarify my situation before starting the week he asked for to get closer to each other. After all, if I thought about opening my heart again, Paul was the most suitable person, and I didn't say that because of his persistence or his obvious interest in me, but because I felt it in my heart.

"I can't stand the Lancaster family's presence in general, they have all hurt me in their own way, yet I'm happy to divorce them before it was too late." I calmly responded as I walked at a reasonable distance from my parents.

No member of the Lancaster family was exempt from entering the list of people who hurt me, including Alexander's grandfather, whom I only encountered twice during my time as Mrs. Lancaster.

Obviously, Amelia had a lot to do with the old man looking at me as if I were inferior, like a despicable being, barely acknowledging my presence and not taking the time to truly get to know me. Everyone let themselves be influenced by my blank family background. "When you say 'too late,' what do you mean?" He curiously asked, looking down at me, and I didn't find it difficult to respond, "Tristan."

If the Lancaster family had found out about my pregnancy, my son would have been born into an unpleasant family environment. Amelia alone would have prevented him from becoming the happy and loved child he had always been. I was relieved that my son didn't have to go through what I went through because of my foolishness and compliance.

"The Lancasters wouldn't have allowed me to divorce with an heir on the way, and not for the happiness of a new addition to the family, but because of what people would say, and if they did allow it, it would be with the condition of me giving up my child. It would have been very tragic."

"Do you plan on telling him someday?" He asked, catching me off guard and avoiding the question for a long time. I knew Alexander had the right to know, but the fear of losing him overwhelmed me.

"I don't want to talk about it, it's complicated." I replied with no desire to continue discussing the Lancasters. Did everyone agree to bring up this topic again?

"Okay, I understand. However, I think you should close those chapters. I know this trip is just for business, but I would like you to return to Paris with a weight lifted off your shoulders, not only for me or my intentions to be with you, but for you, for your peace of mind." He said. I let out a bitter laugh and looked at him with a furrowed brow.

Closing chapters? That was absurd.

I did that the moment I signed the divorce certificate.

Why was he saying this to me?

"Paul, I closed those chapters years ago." I replied simply, containing the urge to laugh in his face at the nonsense he had just said. The truth was, the topic was starting to make me uncomfortable.

"That's what I thought until I saw how tense you were when you saw your ex-husband again, and because you preferred to leave the opening ceremony before seeing him representing his company. I know you have your reasons, but if you had closed those chapters, you wouldn't have felt anything for him when you saw him again." He said calmly, before entering the banquet hall where people were already seated at their reserved tables.

I looked at him amused, although inside I was starting to get exasperated by the topic that wouldn't lead us anywhere.

"I didn't feel anything for him." I said irritated and disgusted just at the thought of making the mistake of feeling something for Alexander again.

That was not going to happen again. It would be very foolish of me to fall into the hands of a man who knew nothing about loyalty and respect, a man who stopped loving me if he ever truly loved me. I didn't need his breadcrumbs; I deserved more than that. "Don't get me wrong, honey. I'm not talking about feelings of love, nor am I insinuating that you're still in love with him because I know you're not. I'm talking about resentment, bitterness, hatred, and anger that you still carry within you. Are you going to tell me you don't feel all or most of what I just mentioned?" He asked. I stopped to think about it more calmly, brushing off the discomfort that talking about the Lancasters caused me, and even letting pass the way he called me honey.

Finally, I nodded my head, agreeing with him.

Of course, I felt anger and disgust just by looking at him. I couldn't even hear his name without the resentment rising in my chest uncontrollably.

"What could I feel after finding out he was cheating on me with my supposed friend? It's the worst betrayal." I replied, feeling a bad taste in my mouth as I recalled the moment I caught them in Alexander's office. How unpleasant.

Paul offered me a chair at the table reserved for Doinel, and I sat down delicately. Paul was about to sit next to me, but before that, he leaned in, placing his hand on the table, and looked at me intently as he spoke.

"So, you can't say you feel nothing for him. I know it was devastating for you, but do you think you can look at him and not feel the slightest discomfort in your chest? Why don't you give it a try? If you let me, I can help you close that chapter." He said with a smile, leaving me motionless in my seat and above all, pensive.

Would I ever be able to look at Alexander without feeling boiling anger?

And if that were the case, what was Paul supposed to do to help me?