Divorced Heiress
Chapter 91

SARAH.

The first thing I did when we arrived at the Villa was leave Tristan with Alexander and lock myself in my father's office to call my lawyers and initiate the proceedings in Rachel's case.

I asked them to handle the case discreetly, no one could find out that Rachel was going to testify against the Dubois, not even the Richman lawyers could know. There were many lives in danger and I had to be very cautious with each step we took in this process. I couldn't waste time, I was afraid that Rachel would change her mind about confessing or that Paul would find out and harm her to keep her quiet.

After more than half an hour on the call, I hung up the phone and sat down while processing everything that was happening. I had no idea why Rachel had changed her mind, and I wanted to believe that she was redeeming herself, that she wanted to repair the grave mistake she made.

But something told me that there was something else behind her decision. Either way, it was evidence against the Dubois family, enough to put them away for a long time. And during that time, I would gather even the tiniest pieces of evidence to ensure their sentence was increased.

My smile vanished when the smell of something burning filled my nostrils. I stood up, leaving my things on the desk, and hurried out of the office to find the source of the smell. It wasn't difficult to find, as smoke was coming out of the kitchen, spreading throughout the house.

Panic took hold of me, thinking it was a fire. But instead of calling the firefighters, I covered my nose and tried to make my way through the smoke, waving my free arm in the air to enter the kitchen.

I didn't see any fire, instead, I came across a scene that almost made me burst out laughing.

Alexander was opening the windows to let the smoke dissipate and moving a kitchen towel back and forth, while a cooking video played on the tablet on the table. I soon realized that the sink was overflowing, and the smoke was from the water spilling onto a completely burnt frying pan.

-Alexander, what are you doing?- I said, and he got startled before turning to look at me, embarrassed.

I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of him with his sleeves rolled up and Maga's apron on. He stopped waving the kitchen towel in the air and placed his hands on his hips, quickly assessing the mess he had caused, then looked back at me with an innocent smile. -I wanted to prepare lunch for my wife and son, but I have confirmed that I am better at business than culinary arts.- He said before approaching the sink to shut off the water.

He walked towards me through the disappearing smoke. I couldn't stop laughing while also feeling touched because Alexander had never cooked in his life and he dared to try it for us.

-I'm sorry, my love, I wanted to surprise you. I followed everything step by step, but I must have done something wrong. At least the spaghetti is safe.- He said.

-And you did surprise me.- I said with amusement, looking at the burnt frying pan in the sink. Alexander huffed and bit his lower lip as if he was dissatisfied with himself.

-I want to try the saved spaghetti.- I said, walking into the kitchen where there was a pot with a very large amount of spaghetti, enough to feed twenty people.

Alexander came to my side and looked at me hesitantly when I took a small portion to taste it. To be honest, it didn't look good, it was overcooked.

Without second thoughts, I tried it under his expectant and nervous gaze. My taste buds immediately sensed the excess salt, and I chewed quickly to swallow it, avoiding making a disgusted face. However, the urge to cough completely overwhelmed me. -Sarah, for heaven's sake, I shouldn't have let you taste it.- Alexander didn't know what to do, he looked around for something to make the cough disappear and lightly patted my back as if that was the solution. Soon, he rushed to pour a glass of water and helped me drink it. That was the solution.

-Forgive me, my love, my food almost killed you. He said as the cough disappeared. -You know what? I'll order food, I don't want to poison anyone.-

I shook my head, finishing the last drop and when I was calmer and without the excess of salt in my mouth, I spoke.

-No need, stay and we'll prepare lunch together.- I suggested because I didn't want to take away the excitement of making such a nice gesture for us. Alexander's eyes lit up, but he shook his head.

-No, not at all, I... I... He left the word hanging when he realized my gaze, I was telling him with my eyes that there was no valid excuse to refuse, so he wiped his hands on the apron and said, -I'll clean up the mess I made and we can start.-

I couldn't deny that I enjoyed every second of cooking with Alexander, it was the first time we shared a moment like this despite the years we had been together, I liked this new version of Alexander, he was being more dedicated, more attentive, a better person, and above all, much more loving than he was in the past.

Maga arrived with Tristan freshly bathed, and our son wanted to join us. Alexander lifted him up so he could help pass me the ingredients I asked for, and between games, laughter, and Alexander's bad jokes, we finished preparing spaghetti with bolognese sauce and we ate as a family, as if we hadn't gone through so many obstacles, so much deceit, so many betrayals.

The only thing that prevented me from being completely happy was the Dubois family.

Vincent arrived at the villa just as we finished eating, and from the seriousness on his face, it seemed that Abby's issue was still bothering him, but he was the only one responsible for things turning out this way, as he knew my friend was willing to start a serious relationship with him and make him feel loved, without any contracts involved.

-I'm here now, what do you need to talk to me about?- He asked coldly as he sat on the couch, rubbing his temples.

Alexander and I looked at each other at the same time, due to my cousin's bad mood, as he didn't usually use that tone of voice when talking to me, let alone look so irritated.

I didn't want to pay attention to him or get involved in his problems, so I went straight to the point, bringing up the topic that was most important at the moment.

-I didn't want to tell you at the company because there were too many people, but I want you to know that Rachel is going to confess.- I said. He stopped massaging his forehead and looked at me as if he couldn't believe what I had just said.

Yes, it seemed unreal that Rachel had made the decision to talk, but fortunately, she did.

-Are you serious? Is it certain that she will? Could it be a trap? Paul might have found out that you went to visit her to convince her and he might be setting a trap for us.-

Vincent's distrust made me doubt, and I remained silent thinking about the great possibility that it could be true, they could be playing with us, with the last hope we had. Before I could answer with doubts, Alexander took out his phone from his pants pocket and placed it on the coffee table.

-Maybe this is the reason why she changed her mind.- Alexander said before a voice coming from his phone reached my ears, and immediately I recognized it, it was Paul.

-You're daydreaming. I've given you enough money to live a life of luxury, you won't receive a single cent more from me, I'm doing too much for you by lending you the services of my lawyers. I'm not in the mood to put up with you...

-Look, I don't care that you can't enjoy the money, you knew the risk you were taking and still accepted it. And don't you dare threaten me, just like my lawyers are helping you, they can sink you, and your parents will pay the consequences of even mentioning the Dubois name. Don't call me again.-

I looked at Alexander, surprised by that recording he made of Paul, which he had not mentioned until now.

An uncomfortable feeling settled in my chest just knowing that he had hidden it from me when I received Rachel's call, and I was only finding out about this now. Now I understood why he wasn't as surprised as I was.

-This is good evidence for Rachel's confession. Good work, Alexander. I will increase the security for the Duncans, no, I will take them out of the country. Rachel is putting herself at great risk.-

Vincent got up from the couch and went out to the garden while dialing someone on his phone.I took advantage of Vincent leaving us alone and turned to look expressionless at Alexander, who avoided looking at me while playing with Tristan, who was restless on his lap.

- Is there anything else that the great Alexander Lancaster has forgotten to tell me? - I asked with a fake smile, even though it wasn't a topic that harmed us but rather benefited us.

I couldn't help but feel dissatisfied. We were supposed to not hide anything from each other, and if we hadn't brought up the subject, he still wouldn't have mentioned it.

Alexander looked at me silently for a moment as if he were mentally debating, and I could see his Adam's apple moving up and down as he swallowed.

-Sarah, I didn't forget to tell you. I didn't tell you earlier because I was waiting for Vincent to inform both of you.-

His answer didn't entirely convince me, and his body language made me uneasy.

- I'm sorry, if I knew it would upset you, I would have told you from the moment I saw you.

- I'm not upset, I'm just worried. We already know how everything ended up because of hiding so much relevant information - I responded honestly. The lack of communication and trust was what ruined our marriage. I didn't want the same story to repeat itself. - I know, but I haven't hidden this information from you. Don't look at me like that, you'll scare Tristan - He used our son as an excuse, and I rolled my eyes. I softened my gaze as he approached me while still playing with Tristan's hands.

-Okay, I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to worry you. How about we forget this little inconvenience with a family dinner?-

I let out a slight laugh at his proposal and immediately shook my head.

-For the good of everyone, you won't enter the kitchen alone again- I warned him, reminding him that he almost caused a fire. He laughed playfully, infecting Tristan who laughed without knowing the reason.

-They're making fun of me, great - He pretended to be offended.

-I have good news for you. Your kitchen will be safe. I'll take you somewhere outside the city, where we can forget about our problems, even if it's just for a few hours, and in the process, you forgive me. Or do you prefer that I earn your forgiveness in another way? - He whispered the last part near my face, and I opened my eyes in surprise that he dared to say that in front of Tristan.

-I already have everything arranged. Rachel's parents are leaving the country today. They'll be well hidden and protected in London-

Vincent arrived, interrupting our conversation, and I mentally thanked him because I didn't know how to respond to Alexander, although I didn't dislike the idea.

-Thank you, Vincent. I truly hope everything goes well without any losses- I said, moving away a bit from Alexander and disguising the fact that his words gave me chills.

-Everything is going to be fine. We're one step ahead, and they don't know it. The situation is improving- Vincent responded with better spirits than he had when he arrived, but it all went downhill when Abby cheerfully entered through the door.

-Hi, everyone- Abby greeted with a bright smile that could infect anyone, except Vincent, who frowned before standing up abruptly and approaching her, pretending to be furious with her. He cleared his throat before speaking to her.

-Can we talk?- He asked with a tense jaw, and she looked at him with a raised eyebrow before nodding and heading out the door, expecting Vincent to follow her.

-Excuse me, I need to...-.

-Go after her, we don't need explanations- Alexander encouraged him, and Vincent left after letting out a sigh.

- I'll have to give my cousin some advice-

I turned sharply to look at him as I laughed in his face.

-Just not about cooking, please.-