Divorced Heiress
Chapter 34

I had nothing good to talk about, I still hadn't given him the green light for collaboration with Doinel, and I didn't think I would ever give it to him.

I was about to refuse his request, but my father hurried to speak, causing my indignation.

"I'll leave you alone, Sarah, don't take long, there's still a lot to do." He said, squeezing my hand before going to the table without waiting for me to say a word, because he knew I was going to refuse.

I knew very well why he was doing it, despite the fact that he didn't like Alexander at all, he never agreed with me hiding Tristan's existence from him. He hoped that I would tell him someday and he was taking advantage of this opportunity to let him know. "Be brief, Mr. Lancaster." I said, dismissing the idea of mentioning Tristan, at least not on this occasion.

"I want to apologize for the altercation at Mike's bar, I have learned how things went and Gina is being punished." He said, with his intense gaze on my face, and I raised an eyebrow at the topic he was bringing up.

"I think I made it clear that I expect apologies from Mrs. Lancaster, she offended me, not anyone else. Don't you think it's unfair to speak on her behalf? If she's not here, it's because she's not willing to do it, so you shouldn't even accept her apologies if they're not sincere." I replied curtly, showing my disagreement with his intervention.

I knew Gina and her mother very well. Just as Amelia refused to apologize to me over three years ago when the scandal of the alleged infidelity on my part began, Gina was doing the same, pride prevented them, for them it was humiliating to submit themselves to the woman they treated as they pleased.

"I have no reason to lie to you, Gina refuses to apologize, however, on this occasion I apologize for myself. I have ordered Mike to demand an apology from you without knowing the facts beforehand. I admit I have acted unjustly." My brow furrowed upon hearing his confession, and anger grew within me uncontrollably.

Of course, Alexander would take his family's side. That was why I never dared to tell him about the humiliations his family subjected me to.

"I hope you have learned to seek the truth before making any decisions, as you are always being a puppet manipulated by your own family. Don't worry, Mr. Lancaster, nothing new has happened with your sister." I said in a cold voice, repressing the contempt for the Lancasters that threatened to come to light in front of so many people.

Alexander seemed taken aback by my outburst of emotions, as if I were insinuating something he was unaware of.

That was exactly how it was.

"Sarah, I need you to answer a question. Has my family always treated you like that?" He asked, setting aside the way he initially spoke to me so cordially, now he seemed restless to know the answer, so much so that he started addressing me informally. I let out a bitter laugh and looked into his honey-colored eyes which suddenly became shiny.

"Is that important now?" I responded with another question, unable to believe that he was so blind as to not realize that mistreatment was nothing new.

Alexander took a step towards me, the same step I took back to maintain distance.

"Answer."

I could sense a hint of desperation in his voice, as if the most important thing right now was to hear my answer.

"And if it were so, it's too late to do anything about it. You have chosen to be with Mrs. Rachel, you should worry more about her instead of asking me these kinds of questions. I'm sorry, but this conversation won't go anywhere. I have more important things to do." I replied, ready to leave and end the conversation that would only reopen wounds that were already healed, but Alexander lightly grabbed my arm, stopping any movement I was about to make, and I gave him a scathing look as I felt his touch burn my skin. "Could you let go of me?"

"Sarah, Rachel's situation is something I would like to clarify with you, but my family, damn it, why did you hide it from me? I could... " I interrupted before he started with reproaches or regrets, it was too late for that.

"There's nothing to clarify, I know what I saw and I'm not asking for explanations, we are happily divorced. And... What do you mean, 'I could'? It was rare to see you at home, and when you arrived, the only thing I got from you was your indifference, how could I talk to you if you had more important matters in your office? And not to mention that you were devoted to your mother and your sister, whose side were you going to take? Your beloved family, or your wife whom you didn't even look at." Without realizing it, I also started addressing him informally, revealing the reason why I preferred to hide it.

What I didn't mention was that I also did it out of love for Alexander, to avoid future confrontations with his family. I was so eager to be accepted that I allowed all of that, I was the only one to blame for not leaving on time, for not defending myself from the beginning.

Alexander's hurtful gaze didn't make me feel the slightest hint of remorse. He wanted an answer, and I was giving it to him with all the details.

"Sarah, no, it's not like that." He said, taking a step towards me again, and this time I didn't step back, because I wanted to look directly into his eyes before speaking.

"Be that as it may, we are divorced, I don't need explanations and neither do you. We are strangers, remember? I accept your apologies and I will be waiting for apologies from your sister." I took a step to leave, but Alexander grabbed my arm again, and I spoke before he could say a word. "Anything else, Mr. Lancaster? If it's about your proposal, you can rest assured, I won't mix personal matters with work. If the board decides in favor of your brand, I won't do anything to stop it. You should go back to your wheelchair, you looked better that way.

His confused gaze changed to an expression that I couldn't decipher, he seemed distressed and surprised.

"Not the wheelchair..." He started to say, but was interrupted by Amelia's voice, and I took advantage of his frustration to look at his mother and free myself from his uncomfortable and unpleasant grip.

"Don't tell me you came back to once again wrap my son around your finger, because let me tell you that you're wasting your time, did you already take every last penny from Paul Dubois?"

An unfunny smile adorned my face, and I raised my chin to look at her with annoyance.

"Mrs. Lancaster, I don't waste my time with such unpleasant people, starting with you. And just so you know, I don't need a man's money, I leave that to you, ma'am, since you are not capable of supporting yourself." I responded, satisfied with seeing her face distorted with anger.

"I think everything is more than clear, Mr. Lancaster." I said, turning my gaze back to Alexander, referring to his mother's behavior.

"With your permission."

Without waiting for another word, I walked away from the Lancasters, flaunting my high heels and ignoring the unpleasant heat that ran through my body, prioritizing the satisfaction I felt in returning the blow to Amelia.

I don't know if I should consider myself ruthless and frivolous, but I loved seeing the distorted and humiliated faces of the Lancasters.

After all, I managed to feel a little relieved, as if I had lifted a weight off my shoulders.