Divorced Heiress
Chapter 66

The way home suddenly seemed long to me, I had never wanted to arrive quickly like I did in this moment, I just wanted to get out of the car and keep my distance from that man.

Was this happening again?

Wasn't the slap I gave him last time strong enough?

Wasn't it clear to him that I didn't want him to kiss me again? Why was he doing this?

My eyes stayed wide open for a long time, closely observing Alexander's relaxed face, I could see his long, thick eyelashes resting on his cheeks, while his mouth moved slightly without receiving any response from me, because my lips were so stiff that they wouldn't move even if I wanted them to.

Every muscle in my body was so tense and I found it impossible to breathe, my chest hurt just from trying.

My hand, which instinctively landed on his chest to push him away from me, was caught by his warm, trembling hand, leaving me with one free hand ready to push him away, but halfway through, I changed the direction of my hand; I passed it over his shoulder while closing my eyes to move my lips on his with coldness and unwillingness.

His warm breath hit my face, I had completely forgotten the taste of his lips and the intense way he kissed. Although I managed to remember each and every one of his kisses in a matter of seconds, this one was not like the ones he used to give me. Alexander kissed me as if he were nervous or shy, as if he were scared, but at the same time, he kissed my lips with certainty, appearing calm and composed.

When Alexander felt my grip tighten on his shoulder, I knew that I had achieved what I had in mind, as he put his hand on my waist with the intention of deepening the kiss, as if he was sure that I had given in so easily. However, before he could try to take the kiss further, I caught his bottom lip between my teeth and he let out a slight grunt of satisfaction.

-Mmm.- He said. For him, this was a sign that I was letting myself go in the moment, but that was far from the truth. When he least expected it, I pulled on his lip while biting it as hard as possible, until I tasted a metallic flavor at the same time as he complained in pain, then I let go. Alexander immediately let go of me, looked at me with surprise in his eyes, crystallized by the pain, and I could see his injured lip, slightly bleeding from the mark of my teeth. -Sarah, but what...-

-What?- I interrupted, not allowing him to say another word, and wiped any trace of blood from my lips with my fingers.

Alexander continued to silently complain, as if he didn't want the driver to know what had just happened in the back seat, although I think we had given him the best show of his life.

At least I managed to get Alexander to give me back my personal space.

-Are you threatening me?- He asked in a low voice, his fingers still on his lip, maintaining his expression of pain.

I gave a faint smile.

-I am warning you.- I responded indifferently. -I can allow you to be close to catch up on lost time with Tristan and to carry out the project, but that doesn't mean there is any possibility between us. Don't try to sway me with a speech or stolen kisses, you won't get anything from me. You are free to rebuild your life with whoever you want, and I have the right to do the same. Ours ended years ago, even before signing the divorce.- My voice was cold and my gaze devoid of any emotion, this was more than enough for him to understand that my heart was closed to him, I couldn't be clearer.

-You're being very cruel.- He said, and I lowered my face to laugh without humor. Cruel wouldn't be the right word, but rather realistic and determined. If I gave in, I would be giving him permission to do as he pleased with me again, to hurt me in the least expected moments, and honestly, I wouldn't allow that to happen again, not with him nor with anyone else.

-Rebuild my life with someone else? Since the divorce, I haven't been with anyone, I haven't looked at any other woman. At first, I didn't understand it, but now I know it's because you are the woman I want by my side. Yes, I failed you in the worst way and I have no justification, I deserve your contempt, your indifference, your rejection, I know it hurts you, but I can make you heal.-

Perhaps I didn't bite him hard enough for him to understand better, it was irritating me that he insisted on turning a deaf ear to what I just told him.

What part of our relationship ending didn't he understand?

Should I explain it to him using apples?

-Tripping is fine, but tripping twice with the same stone is ridiculous and masochistic.- I said, adjusting myself in my seat and looking out the window again only to realize that we were already entering Villa Doinel. This was a miracle.

Alexander didn't say anything else, but he looked at me as if I had told him the best joke of his life and he started to rub the wound on his lip that had already stopped bleeding, exposing the mark of a bite and his red and swollen lip.

As soon as he parked the car at the entrance of the house and I opened the door to finally get out, Alexander's hand closed the door again without giving me a chance to step outside. I looked at him feeling irritated, and he spoke.

-No matter what you say, I will continue to insist on earning your forgiveness. All I long for in this moment is to be with Tristan and you as a family. It's okay for you to distrust me, but things have changed and I have learned from my mistakes. I haven't stopped loving you, I even love you more now for being the mother of my child. If you give me a chance to prove it to you, I...-

-You said it yourself, things have changed.- I interrupted him before he continued daydreaming, and I paused as I remembered that I had thought of a way to get back at him. That way, I could feel satisfied and more at peace. I cleared my throat, shifted in my seat, tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, and opened my mouth to speak. -I will give you one chance, but don't think that means I'm going back to you.-

I spoke as seriously as possible, and Alexander's face immediately lit up. It seemed as if he had forgotten the pain in his lip, and a smile from ear to ear appeared on his face as if he had received the best news of his life. I glanced at his smile for a few seconds, and before he could say anything, I opened the car door again to get out immediately. My heels resonated as I walked carelessly towards the entrance of the house, leaving behind the man who was left speechless. However, before I could reach the door, I felt a hand on my arm that made me stop in my tracks.

-After we settle into the Doinel company and start the project, we will have a date and talk about our situation.- He said, close to my face, causing an unpleasant chill down my spine. I forced a half-hearted smile before breaking free from his grip and continuing my walk as far away from him as possible.

-Mr. Lancaster, they are waiting for us.- I said as I resumed my path to the house. I heard Alexander's steps behind me, and I kept a serious expression when I reached the living room where everyone was waiting to toast. Only Alexander and I were missing. Silence filled the room when they saw us arrive, and all eyes were on us. I went to my parents to embrace them with a smile on my face. When my mother let go of me, she looked at Alexander kindly, and her eyes widened without any disguise before looking at me with questioning eyes. When I looked at him, I knew he was looking at the wound on his lip, the one he obviously didn't have the last time she saw him at the press conference.

-Welcome to Villa Doinel, Mr. Lancaster and Mr. Ferrer.- My father greeted him, overlooking the detail that my mother discovered and probably already suspected the reason behind it. All I could do was ignore her accusing gaze and take the glass that the staff offered us.

-Let's toast to the project, because we are off to a good start, and because the press conference was a success. The three of you handled the situation like the professionals you are, and I couldn't be prouder. There is no doubt that we made a good choice with our collaborators. Cheers.-

I smiled as I clinked my glass and took just a small sip of the exquisite and high-quality drink. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have up to three glasses of it, I needed it. But I had to see Tristan after the toast, it wouldn't be very responsible of me otherwise. Vincent arrived by my side with his drink in hand and leaned his head close enough to my ear to whisper, without anyone hearing.

-I hadn't seen the wound on Alexander's lip before, I find it a bit suspicious.- Vincent murmured. I almost choked on my drink and discreetly looked at Alexander, noticing that his injury was even more noticeable than I thought. -I could think he got a good punch, but it's obvious he has teeth marks.-

I looked at Vincent with narrowed eyes and let out a tired sigh. If my mother and Vincent had noticed, it meant that others had too.

-Don't be silly, the car stopped suddenly and he hurt himself with his own teeth.- I quickly improvised, but Vincent didn't believe me, especially considering what happened next.

Cristina, Alexander's assistant, noticed his injured lip and covered her mouth in surprise before speaking.

-Mr. Lancaster, what happened to your lip? Are you hurt? Are you okay?- Cristina asked with concern. After Cristina spoke, anyone who hadn't noticed that detail before now knew, all eyes were on Alexander's face and he glanced at me for a few seconds before responding seriously.

-It's nothing, Cristina. I hurt myself while eating an apple.- He replied with such confidence that if I didn't know the truth, I would have believed him. He deserves the award for the liar of the year.

My lips tightened as I thought about what he was referring to. I was that apple he was eating.

After he finished giving his explanation, Vincent whispered in my ear again.

-A sudden stop, an apple. Poor thing, you bit him really hard.- Vincent said sarcastically, and I glared at him. There was no point in lying to him anymore, he already knew.

-He deserved it. I replied, shrugging and downplaying it.

-You enjoyed it, and I'm not talking about the bite.- He said teasingly, and I furrowed my brow in annoyance.

-No.- I quickly changed the subject. It wasn't a topic I was proud of. In fact, just remembering it made me angrier with that idiot with honey-colored eyes. He had no idea what awaited him. -Did what you were waiting for arrive?- I asked in a low voice, referring to the investigator. I couldn't say it clearly because the Dubois family was present, acting like innocent doves, toasting and talking with everyone with feigned joy. Except Abby, who looked at me listlessly and sighed before looking away.

-Oh no.- Vincent replied in the same tone as me. -He's waiting in your father's office. I had him come in through the back door, I wanted you to come before attending to him. It seems he has very useful information.- Vincent understood everything and interrupted the conversation that was taking place.

-I apologize, Sarah and I have a matter to resolve, you all continue without us. We'll be right back.- Vincent announced to everyone. I smiled apologetically and left with Vincent as he put his hand on my waist to guide me along the way. Just as we were about to disappear down the hallway, I heard a loud snort. Without needing to turn around, I knew it was Abby.