Divorced Heiress
Chapter 77

My mother proposed a toast as soon as she saw us returning to the garden. My mother's words moved me and I almost shed tears in front of all the guests.

- Sarah is the light of my life, she is my dream come true. From the moment I held her in my arms, I knew she would be a strong and capable woman, and she has been proving it with her efforts to be a good daughter, a good mother, and a great businesswoman, although very stubborn and proud, that cannot be denied. It is her essence and I couldn't be prouder to be her mother, her friend, and her unwavering support. I am grateful to have you back and shout it to the world, Sarah Doinel is my daughter. Cheers! - I smiled from ear to ear at my mother's words, and quickly we clinked our champagne glasses together.

When my glass arrived next to Alexander's, I looked at him while remembering my conversation with my father. Each of his words echoed in my head and I couldn't hold his gaze as my pulse raced uncontrollably.

I quickly moved away to continue toasting with the others, and when I reached Jack, he congratulated me on my birthday and asked for a few minutes to talk.

- There's a small last-minute problem with the private jet reservation. I'm sorry, I know it's your birthday and I shouldn't bother you with work matters, but you had planned to travel tomorrow and I needed to let you know as soon as possible to find a solution. - Jack informed me with a worried expression, knowing that I didn't want anyone else to find out about this. The only other person who knew was Vincent, and at the moment he was with his brothers and Abby, who were talking animatedly with Bastian. I looked around, making sure no one was nearby to hear our conversation.

- Jack, what happened with the reservation? Didn't you already take care of it? - I asked discreetly while casually taking a sip from my glass, my eyes almost automatically turning to that man with honey-colored eyes who was glancing at me while still paying attention to Tristan.

- Of course, I did. It's just that your parents had a reservation to fly to London and they moved it up to tomorrow. And since you told me this had to be low-key, I didn't want to argue about it. - I looked confusedly at Jack when he told me this information, and then I looked back at Alexander.

- My parents are traveling tomorrow and they didn't tell me? - I asked to myself, although it didn't surprise me at all. They were probably waiting to celebrate my birthday and have a short vacation for themselves. - Whatever. Thank you for letting me know in time, Jack. In that case, buy a first-class plane ticket, the first one that departs tomorrow morning. - I lowered my voice when I realized that Alexander's assistant was passing by us.

- Count on it, I'll take care of it right away. - He said, about to leave, but he stopped to look at me from head to toe and then looked towards the dark-haired man next to my son. - You all look very good, I mean, you, Mr. Lancaster, and Tristan. If I didn't know the situation between you, I would think you're a happy family. At least, that's the impression I got. Excuse me. With that, he left me speechless and I watched him walk away without giving me a chance to respond.

A happy family? We were light years away from that.

I stood there for a few more seconds, unable to stop repeating that phrase in my head. And suddenly realized that I couldn't take my eyes off the father of my child. I drank the rest of my glass in one gulp and hurriedly walked towards the guests, looking anywhere but at him. I didn't want to believe that my father's words had softened me, but what I did believe was that this conversation had changed something in me and in the way I saw things.

But that didn't mean I was going to make a mistake that I would probably regret. Impossible.

Vincent had stayed at the villa the night before and took the opportunity to help me pack my things, although it wasn't a big deal. I would just go, talk to Rachel, and come back.

Tristan was fast asleep in his room, but that didn't stop me from bidding him farewell without being able to wake him up. I was going to miss him, but he would be in the best hands, with Vincent.

Before leaving his room, Alexander's gift caught my attention, and after pondering it for a couple of times, I took the bag and packed it in my suitcase. I would take advantage of this trip to leave the pair of rings where they should be.My cousin drove me to the airport and hadn't stopped making fun of me since we left the villa, as I had decided to cover up as much as possible, with sunglasses and a hat, afraid that someone would recognize me and realize that I was about to take a flight to New York.

-Let me know when you arrive, I'll be informing you of everything from here and don't worry, if anyone asks about you, I'll say that you turned thirty completely drunk and can't even get out of bed.- Vincent said with a playful smile on his face, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter at his remarks.

-Of all the excuses that could work, you had to come up with that one. Okay, just don't defame me too much.- I said when my laughter subsided, and he nodded as if he was going to follow the order to the letter. -And another favor, let me know about my parents' trip and if they ask about me, come up with something better.-

-As you wish, Ms. Doinel. Take care of yourself.- He said, and I nodded my head and gave him a quick hug before boarding the plane.

When I reached my reserved seat, I let out a long sigh with my eyes closed. I really hoped this trip would work out. I needed Rachel to confess. She would be a key witness to expose the Dubois and give them enough years in prison to never see them again in my life.

-Are you running away?- I squeezed my eyes shut upon hearing that voice. I didn't know what was going through my head that I had to imagine Alexander speaking in the adjacent seat. Get out of my head.

-I don't remember you having a deep sleep. The glasses look good on you. He said, and I immediately opened my eyes, taking off my glasses upon hearing him again and looked towards the source of that voice, finding that man.

-Oh my god, it can't be true. I wasn't hallucinating.- I murmured to myself and immediately looked at him with a furrowed brow, feeling annoyed at my bad luck in life. -What are you doing here?- I asked angrily, and Alexander tapped the armrest with his long fingers.

-Taking a flight, just like you. He replied calmly, and I gave him a glare because I knew perfectly well that wasn't the answer I was expecting. -You don't think I'll let you visit Rachel alone.- He added, and my eyes almost popped out of my head when he said that. I didn't know how he found out that I was going for Rachel. Only three people knew, and I was a hundred percent sure Vincent wasn't the one who told him.

Jack...

-So Jack told you, how did you convince him?- I asked directly and without beating around the bush. His smile told me that I hit the nail on the head. -Between assistants, they understand each other. I give all credit to Cristina.- I laughed without humor, remembering that the night before his assistant walked by us just as I was talking about my flight with Jack. But how was it possible that Jack spilled everything?

Well, I wasn't that mad at Jack, but I was mad at the man next to me. Who did he think he was to gather information and follow me?

-So, you're stalking me.- I said. It was more of a statement than a question, and Alexander shook his head.

-I wouldn't call it stalking. I see it differently. If you jump off a bridge, I'll be there to catch you.- His metaphor left me speechless, and I didn't want to keep talking to this man. It made no sense to start an argument. If he wanted to come with me, then I would let him. From this moment on, I wouldn't let him disturb me anymore. At some point, he would be tired of whatever he was doing.

Thankfully, Alexander understood that I wouldn't say another word and wouldn't even engage in conversation with him. There was nothing to talk about. If he wanted to play the role of bodyguard, then so be it.

Upon arriving in New York, I tried to go on my own, but Alexander was quick to grab my small suitcase. I looked at him expressionlessly and raised my hands in resignation before walking towards the exit to find a taxi. This trip would be stressful and complicated enough to add an endless argument with the stalker.

-The chauffeur for Alexis is waiting for us. He will take us to jail and bring our suitcases home.- He said, and upon hearing the last word, I stopped in my tracks, causing him to stop as well and look at me with confusion. -What's wrong? Did you forget something?- He asked as if nothing was wrong, and I took a breath to avoid losing the patience that I was struggling to maintain.

- The suitcase stays with me. -I informed decisively, he had no right to make decisions for me, this trip was supposed to be done alone.

- Whatever you say then. I nodded my head, calming down again, although I couldn't deny that I found it very strange that Alexander accepted without protesting.

If only he did the same with everything else.

The whole way to the jail, we remained in complete silence, which I appreciated. With my sunglasses on, I could go unnoticed anywhere, if it wasn't for the fact that Alexander didn't bring any accessory to disguise himself. I could only hope that no one recognized me and associated me with the stalker by my side.

We almost weren't allowed to visit Rachel because it wasn't visiting day, but after Alexander and I had an extensive conversation with the security guard, they let us continue with the condition that it would only be for ten minutes.

That was enough to talk to her woman to woman and try to convince her to confess.

When I was about to reach the door where Rachel should be waiting, Alexander stopped me, grabbing my arm. I looked at him in the same way I had been doing since we arrived, with no expression on my face, waiting for him to tell me why we stopped a few meters away from meeting Rachel.

- Sarah, I understand that you've come for an important matter that not only puts your safety at risk, but also that of your entire family. He began saying, his eyes fixed on mine. I nodded my head, letting him know that he was right, and I waited for him to

continue. -But, I've been thinking about it the whole way and I think it would be good if we clarified what happened years ago. I want to ask you to confirm with Rachel herself that on that day, just like the six months before, she and I didn't do anything. And yes, you caught us in a compromising situation, but at that moment, I was asking for a sign to know if I was doing the right thing to keep your life safe, and then you arrived and I lost you.-

I raised one of my eyebrows when I heard his absurd request and gently freed my arm from his hand that suddenly burned on my skin.

-Alexander, it doesn't matter anymore, what's done is done, nothing can change what happened. I won't do it.