Divorced Heiress
Chapter 61

The next morning, I woke up with an unbearable headache, one of those that couldn't be eliminated with one aspirin, or two, or three, therefore, I was also in a bad mood, stressed, and anxious to finally return home, to my work, to my comfort zone. I couldn't stand another second in this city. The flight was leaving in a few hours and I still had to finish packing some things in my suitcase and each time, it became impossible to finish packing without anyone's help, I was going crazy with so many things happening at once, with Tristan by my side, chatting and insisting on seeing his uncle who looked exactly the same as "Ales" again, to play in his wheelchair; checking the response from the Lancaster lawyers, stating that the agreed payment had already been made in the trial and on top of that, Abby suddenly showed up in my room, insisting on talking to me before leaving for Paris.

They were going to drive me crazy, if I was not already.

-Abby, I'm very busy right now, we'll talk later.- I said, trying to maintain the little patience I had left without even looking at her.

It hurt to treat her that way, after all, she had been my best friend since I could remember, but there was something clear and that I should not forget or take lightly.

And that was that, Paul, HER BROTHER, was involved in something that involved me in any way. If the suspicions that surround my head were true, we would be talking about the mastermind behind the attempted murder against me, in which Rachel was involved over three years ago and the main reason for my divorce with Alexander.

We would be talking about the accomplice, sponsor, and/or boss of Rachel.

And we would be talking about how Paul planned all of this to ruin any bond with Alexander because it was very clear that his intention was to separate me from my husband and he succeeded, but he didn't expect that I was expecting a child from him.

I had a slight suspicion that was why he didn't care at all when I told him I was pregnant, and even, he didn't mind taking care of my son, he didn't mind taking on such a big responsibility.

Everything was so calculated that just connecting the dots gave me chills.

Now a question was running through my head.

Why was Paul doing this?

It was difficult for me to believe that he was capable of something like that, but at this point, I didn't even trust my own shadow.

I could expect this from anyone, but Paul Dubois? A man from a good family, of good reputation (except for his former womanizer scandals), my friend since we were kids, shareholder and important piece of Doinel. What did he gain from all of this?

What was he trying to achieve?

-I won't leave this room until we talk or at least you listen to me. Sari, please. I won't take too much of your time.- I left the garment I was folding inside the suitcase and looked at her in silence, counting to three in my mind so as not to go crazy and making a great effort to prevent the headache from getting worse.

Abby noticed my moodiness and sat slowly on my bed, taking Tristan as if he were the shield that would save her from me and my bad temper.

I took a deep breath and made my biggest effort to remain calm without reaching the extremes of my stress.

-I'm listening, but please, make it brief. I can't wait to leave this place.- I said the last part just for myself, although Abby managed to hear it.

I turned my gaze to the garments that still needed to be packed while listening to whatever Abby was going to tell me, something that couldn't wait.

-Sari, I know you're angry with me for that lie, but I didn't do it with bad intentions. My brother just asked me to tell you that he was somewhere else in case you asked for him, but I didn't think it was so serious and that you would ignore me like you have since that night, if I had known, I swear I wouldn't have lied for my brother.- She moved her eyebrows when she heard her words, although she sounded sincere, I didn't fully believe what she said.

I remained silent, not knowing what to reply, and she continued, -Sarah, I'm serious, just...- She sighed before finishing saying.

-Just tell me what's going on, why it bothers you so much that he trusted me with his little lie. I don't deserve your indifference, you should be mad at him, not me, we are best friends.-After finishing saying that, I put the last garment in the suitcase and finally gave it a look.

If I didn't know her so well, I would think she was lying and colluding with her brother, but I could tell she had no idea what was going on, nor what Paul was involved in. My indifference really affected her, especially because I had never treated her like this before, despite the years.

Abby was not aware of Paul's things. And if she was, she could find a way to tell me something, anything.

- Abby, it's nothing, it's just that the past few days I've been very tense, I have a lot on my mind, Fashion Week, the Lancaster lawsuit, Rachel, the three-way collaboration, Tristan, Alexander. I'm sorry, it has nothing to do with you. - I said, hoping that I wasn't making a bad decision.

After all, she was the only one who deserved the title of best friend, and even though I couldn't afford to believe in anything or anyone, something inside me told me that I could trust her.

- So, do you forgive me for lying to you? - She asked, getting up from the bed with Tristan in her arms. I looked at her hesitantly for a few seconds and finally nodded my head.

- It's okay, I have nothing to forgive you for, after all, if Paul wanted to lie to me, he must have had his reasons. - Abby's lips curled, forming an excited smile.

With Tristan still in her arms, she approached me to give me a hug that I didn't realize I needed.

The past few days had been complicated and stressful.

- Friend, as much as I want to see you with my brother, I won't let our friendship be ruined by him, you're like the sister I never had. - She moved away from me when Tristan complained about being uncomfortable between us and laughed before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

I smiled after hearing her words, because she was also like a sister to me. She would be the only person who wouldn't dare to betray me, I knew her.

Abby helped me finish packing in silence, and although she didn't say a word, I knew there was something she wanted to say for a while, I could tell by the looks she gave me.

- Just say it. I said when I sat on the bed, relieved that everything was ready, just waiting for the time for the driver to take us to the private airport and finally leave this city.

- God, I can't stand it anymore. She quickly glanced at Tristan, who was watching a video on the tablet his father gave him, and then fixed her serious gaze on me.

- Okay, I found out that Alexander is going to Paris, not just for the project, but to live there. Sarah, that man is a thorn in your side, I can't believe it, he's shameless. Why did he make that drastic decision all of a sudden? And as if that wasn't enough, he had the audacity to tell you that he hasn't been happy since you divorced. Come on! He was happy when he was fooling around with that bitch behind your back. Does he think you're a fool? Now that he knows you're Doinel's daughter, he comes back with his tail between his legs and hides behind a facade of being the best father in the world. You have no idea how much I want to grab him by his expensive suit and kick him...-

- Abby! Tristan is here! - I interrupted her before she said any bad words in front of my son, even though he was focused on the video, he could hear her.

It was inevitable for the old wounds to hurt as if salt had been poured on them, by mentioning Alexander's infidelity. I repeated to myself a thousand times that it was a thing of the past and shouldn't matter to me at all, otherwise, I would be admitting that I hadn't completely overcome that cycle.

I cleared my throat and forced myself to bury the memories deep down, where they had been for years and where they should stay forever.

What did Alexander mean to me? He didn't deserve even the slightest thought from me. In addition, I didn't believe a single word from the night before.

He was no longer part of my life, if I had to endure him, it was for the sake of our son.

- I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's just that he is a... - I gave him a warning look and he swallowed what he had to say. - Oh, I forgot, Tristan can hear my curse words.-

I sighed tiredly, rubbing my temples carefully. The headache was still present and I couldn't bear it, especially after bringing up the topic of my ex-husband. What torture!

- I don't know what he expects, but whatever he has in mind, I will bring him down from that cloud and make him crash hard into reality. We are already divorced. He shouldn't think that with a few words in front of my father and cousin he will move me. I can forgive him, but I will never forget. - I replied with a bitter taste in my mouth, remembering the kiss Alexander gave me that night. I wasn't going to talk about him anymore. - Shall we go down? - I changed the subject as I got up from my seat, and Abby remained silent for a moment before speaking with a cheerful smile on her face.

- That's my friend, that man is daydreaming if he thinks he has a chance with you just because Tristan is in the middle. - I silently laughed at her unexpected reaction and wiped any expression from my face when an idea, or rather a test for my friend, crossed my mind.

- Abby, do you know the lawyer Richman? - I asked as if it were a casual topic, and she looked confused before nodding with a furrowed brow, as if she had no clue why I mentioned that man. - He is the family lawyer along with his wife Mrs. Richman, they have been taking care of the legal matters of the Dubois family for six years. Why do you ask? Has something happened? Don't tell me that Paul wanted them to take care of your case. My brother is always so attentive to you. Love, love. - She said the latter with a smile of teenage excitement, and I gave her an indifferent look.

With that response, I was certain that Abby was not involved in Paul's plans in the slightest. She had no idea about Paul's "kindness" gesture towards Rachel, and again, I felt bad for jumping to conclusions before talking to her.

If there was anyone who was transparent, sincere, and loyal, it was Abby. Perhaps, knowing this, Paul didn't involve her in his dirty acts, as she wouldn't agree to be part of a plan that would harm others.

If she knew what her brother was plotting, she would surely crumble, because for her, Paul was the most correct, serious, and clean man, almost like an exemplary figure. For her, he was the man I should be with, but she was unaware of what was behind that appearance, and I wouldn't be the one to let her know.

- Yes, he offered me his services, but you know, I already had my team of lawyers ready to win the case. - I played along so she wouldn't suspect anything, and she smiled genuinely again, expressing how much she would like me to accept her brother, but my answer was still a no, now more than ever.

Abby didn't say anything else, as she knew I would get angry if she kept insisting on the topic. She stood up when she heard Vincent's voice on the other side of the door, telling us that we should leave for the airport.

Abby's stance became rigid, and her bright eyes looked at the door as if she could see through it.

- Why does unrequited love exist? - She said with a hint of disappointment before grabbing two suitcases and leaving through the door, letting out a deep tired sigh.

I held back the laughter that was about to escape from my lips due to the dramatic scene I just witnessed. Without further ado, I took Tristan with one hand and dragged the remaining suitcase with the other, following the path that a disillusioned woman had taken. Goodbye mansion.