Divorced Heiress
Chapter 50

No matter how much I thought and thought, I didn't understand why Rachel hated me so much. We were good friends in college, I was there for her when she needed me, even in her worst moments. I would never understand her reasons for wanting to harm me, hurt me, and defame me. Was it because of Alexander?

I cleared the way for her three years ago, what more did she want from me?

She was messing with the wrong person and she would regret it.

Whatever the reason may be, Alexander cheated on me with her, he had many options to put her in her place and he chose the easiest one, honestly, he could have done more, of course, if he really ever loved me. It was too late for regrets, we both left everything behind and overcame everything that happened, now all that united us was Tristan and we had to think about the well-being of our son.

Alexander ended up taking us to the mansion, although I insisted that I would go with my driver, but suddenly, Tristan desperately wanted to go with him and I couldn't continue refusing.

On the way home, I remained silent, Tristan was talking to Alexander like never before and occasionally he would translate what he wanted to say, after all, the first outing of father and son didn't turn out so bad. When he stopped his car in the house's parking lot, he took Tristan to hug him and it was impossible not to be moved, the little one became attached so quickly after being so afraid of him.

-After fashion week, I will take him home to meet Alexis and I will tell my mother and Gina the news. I won't take him to them until I make sure he will be well treated.- He informed me while combing his black hair, making me feel uncomfortable in my seat.

Not only did I not like the idea of the women in his family even approaching him, but at the end of fashion week, we would all return to Paris, and although his company was selected for the collaboration with Doinel, I highly doubt he would be the representative to travel to Paris, how could he leave Lancaster Collection adrift?

-We will return to Paris after fashion week, I would prefer those women not to even come near him.- I said without hesitation, and he looked at me with a furrowed brow.

His eyes darkened and I could see his breathing become heavy.

-You can't do this, Sarah, you have kept him away from me for over three years, and now that you let me know about him, you want to separate him from me again, you're not being fair.- He responded with a cold voice, completely different from how he had been speaking since we met.

-I know it's not fair, but I'm not going to stay when I have an important project to carry out, I'm not going to disappoint my father by throwing everything away like this. Besides, your family has been playing dirty and I will teach them a lesson. I'm not the same Sarah who could be manipulated.- I replied with a voice even colder than his, and he stayed silent, looking at me without saying a word.

Suddenly, he settled in his seat, turning his body to face me, with Tristan sitting on his long legs.

He was going to defend his precious family, I could see it coming.

-Your father? What father are you talking about? You're not supposed to... My eyes widened as I realized what had come out of my mouth and his words hung in the air, as if he had found the answer to his question. -It can't be.- He whispered to himself and looked towards the entrance of the house for a few seconds before turning to look at me again.

I didn't know what to do to get out of this situation, although the most sensible thing would be to tell the truth, after all, both of us let out a few secrets that somehow harmed our marriage, even before he cheated on me.

-Yes, I have a father.- I blurted out after taking a breath and took Tristan, who wanted me to hold him after witnessing Alexander's sudden lack of interest, although he was just confused and astonished, which made me realize there was no turning back. He was going to find out anyway.I opened my mouth to speak, but my words were silenced by theirs.

-You're Leonardo Doinel's daughter. He said confidently, his eyes almost popping out of his head. -That's why he made you vice president overnight, put you in charge of the project, fired one of his best employees, and why you were dancing that night as if you've known each other forever and taking photos with him at the café. You're not his lover, you're his daughter.- He continued, while I remained expressionless, as if he had solved an unsolvable case.

I nodded my head in agreement, and he covered his mouth in surprise, his eyes fixed on me as if he were seeing a ghost.

-You're right, you were married to the daughter of the man you admire so much. I'm Sarah Doinel.- I said, causing his body to freeze. Hearing it come from my own mouth seemed even more bewildering and surprising.

I felt inexplicably relieved. Hiding my true identity for so many years was not an easy task.

It wasn't until Tristan burst into laughter that Alexander snapped out of his shock. He blinked more times than necessary and looked at the little dark-Haired boy, who was mocking his expression.

-Sarah Doinel, you're Sarah Doinel, but... but where did you get Petit from? Why didn't you ever tell me?- He asked, running his hands over his face. I almost joined Tristan's laughter, but I held back, knowing that this was a very serious and delicate matter.

-The Petit is from my mother, everyone knows her as Joelle Doinel.- I said, his eyes still wide open and I had to look away to not lose my focus. -If I didn't tell you, it's because I couldn't. I had enough reasons, and I imagine that as a loyal follower of Leonardo, you know that I was almost kidnapped as a child. That's the main reason.-

-Mama, look at Ales.- Tristan continued laughing at Alexander, unaware of the delicate issue we were discussing.

I looked back at Alexander, now with both hands covering his cheeks and his mouth slightly open. Was that how he would have reacted if I had said it in public as my father had planned?

Perhaps he would have been more discreet in front of so many people. That was why, with only him, Tristan, and me present, he didn't make any effort to hide his astonishment.

-Main reason? Are there more reasons why you kept it hidden as if it were nothing? Oh God, was I married to a stranger?- I rolled my eyes in annoyance, because even though my last name was different, I was still the same person.

-You were married to someone who was always loyal to you until the very end, whether as Sarah Petit or Sarah Doinel. And yes, there is another reason, but there's no point in talking about it anymore.- I said as my phone rang, displaying Paul's name on the screen. -Do you want to keep hiding things? What are we doing then? Aren't we doing this for Tristan?- He asked, visibly upset, but I didn't want to tell him that I abandoned my family to be with him; it would sound so pathetic.

The phone kept ringing, and I signaled him to wait a second. The call could be work-related, and I didn't want to be discussing such an embarrassing topic here.

-Paul.- I said, and heard an irritated sigh next to me.

-Sari, are you okay? I see that Alexander's car has been parked for a long time. Did he do something to you? Did he do something to Tristan?- I pursed my lips, hearing his concern, and looked through every window of the house. Had he been watching the car since it arrived? That was uncomfortable.

-Yes, I'm fine. I'll be inside in a moment. Is everything ready for today's event?- I asked, abruptly changing the subject.

-Yes, we're just waiting for you.- He said, sounding less worried now, and I saw him peering out of his room window, looking at the car.-So everything is ready, I'll go right away.- I didn't expect him to say anything else and hung up the call. -I have to go, and you too.- I said, grabbing my things and the gift that Alexander gave to Tristan.

When I was about to open the door, Alexander's arm reached the door, preventing me from getting out of his car, making me feel really uncomfortable with his closeness.

-Not until you let it all out, Sarah Doinel.- I raised one eyebrow and moved as far away as possible from his scrutinizing gaze. Luckily, Tristan jumped into his arms, causing him to move away from me and I was able to release the breath I was holding. Why so interested in knowing? What would he gain? Would anything change? Of course not.

And since nothing was going to change, I decided to let it go so that he would let me go once and for all before he invaded my personal space again.

-I gave up my family to marry you, that's it, satisfied?- I said, calmly releasing the words, and now, not expecting him to stop me or say anything else, I got out of his car without even looking at him.

I turned the car around and extended my arms to Tristan to get him out of the car. Although he seemed to want to refuse, he jumped into my arms when he saw my face without a smile.

I didn't look at Alexander again until he spoke.

-I hope one day you can forgive me. You did everything and gave everything for our marriage and didn't receive even a quarter of it.- I gave him a fleeting glance, meeting his eyes that seemed sad and hurt.

A bitter taste appeared in my mouth, and I turned as if I hadn't heard that.

Could I ever forgive him someday?

My nerves were shattered, not even the good attention from the stylists managed to relax me behind the scenes, not even if they added a relaxing massage, nothing could keep me calm for more than three seconds.

The last day of fashion week arrived, and we were just minutes away from starting the final runway show. Of course, I would make an appearance on the catwalk alongside my father, but that wasn't what had me on edge. It was what I had prepared for the end of the show. I prayed that everything would go very well for me because there were three people, and perhaps more, who would have three heart attacks.

The whole afternoon was hectic. Everyone was nervous and anxious because everything had to go perfectly. The models were more than excited, and some still needed to finish fixing their outfits.

Paul appeared in my field of vision with a steaming cup and placed it on the coffee table.

-I brought you Valerian tea for the nerves. He said, looking at me through the mirror, and soon a smile appeared on his face. -You look beautiful.-

-Thank you, Paul, although I'm not sure I can hold it with my trembling hands. I'll probably spill it before even trying a drop.- I admitted, embarrassed, and he chuckled.

-Of course, you can. I'll go back to my seat. Good luck, darling. You'll do great.- He gave a long kiss on my forehead and winked at me before leaving the way he came.

Paul went out of his way to make me comfortable in any circumstance, and I already felt guilty for it.

The dress I was going to wear tonight, an exclusive design by Patrick for Doinel, was hanging and ready to be put on when the stylists finished their work.

Then, a figure appeared in the mirror, and nervousness was replaced by a pleasant sensation in my chest.

-Are you really going to dare to appear in public, after everything that's said about you? If I were you, I wouldn't dare to show up publicly again.- Her malicious smile made my night, and I couldn't help but laugh at her words.

-It's a relief that you and I don't have even the slightest resemblance. I have nothing to fear. On the other hand, Ms. Rachel, you should be more than ashamed of what you've done.- I responded calmly, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

I didn't know what she was doing here; I hadn't seen a trace of her in the previous days.

Her smile didn't fade; instead, it widened.

-I have nothing to be ashamed of. But you, a woman who entered a big company by sleeping with top executives, you're a disgrace to empowered women who strive to reach such a high position.- She said as if it would affect me, and all she managed to do was make me laugh without humor.I gave her a disdainful look before again admiring the great work of the stylists.

-Are you supposed to be one of those women?- I asked sarcastically, and the shameless woman nodded as if she were proud of herself. -Really? How low must a woman sink to blackmail a man into sleeping with her? Are you a worthy representative of empowered women? Thanks, but a woman without dignity, without an ounce of empathy, and with such a dark and envious heart does not represent me.- Her face turned all colors and she looked at me with a frown.

-I don't know what you're talking about. Alexander slept with me of his own free will. I would never blackmail him.- Rachel said, her body tensing as Alexander appeared behind her.

-Are you sure, Rachel?- Alexander said, and her face turned pale. -Who were you going to kill if I didn't comply?-

My nerves almost got the better of me, thinking that Alexander might reveal my true last name, thus ruining the surprise I had prepared.

-I... I... No, you're lying, Alexander. I would never...-

-Sarah, I'll leave you the evidence of what we talked about. You can see countless photos of yourself everywhere you went. Rachel had you under surveillance, she hired a hitman to shoot when she gave the order. It took me a while, but I finally got them. Enjoy the fashion show.- Alexander left an envelope next to the steaming tea, and I was petrified for a few seconds, just hearing the word hitman.

Of course, I didn't believe him when he mentioned it, but if the evidence he mentioned was in that envelope, I couldn't hesitate any longer.

I quickly took the envelope, seeing Rachel's intentions of taking it from the table, and hid it under my silk robe.

Could Rachel have the cold-bloodedness to send someone to kill me?

What kind of woman was this?

-That's not true, it's a setup, you shouldn't believe that man. He cheated on you, remember? He... he...- Rachel looked miserable and completely nervous.

The little I knew about her was that this was her attitude when she felt cornered, trying to manipulate the situation to her liking and wash her hands of such an accusation.

-Don't try to cloud the issue. Please disappear from my sight before I call the police.- I said, and she gave me a furious look. Without saying anything else, she hurriedly left, leaving me with the stylists who were struggling to hide their astonishment at the spectacle, although they failed in their attempt.

And to think that I once considered her my friend.