The Divorced Heiress

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It was almost impossible for me to stop recalling those depressing thoughts, even more so now with the image on my cell phone, which I had just looked at for the second time, while I decide whether to delete it or keep it in my gallery.

You don't need to be psychic to know that they had just been together in a very intimate way on the bed that I once shared with Alex. Even though I tried not to be affected by it, I succumbed to the disappointment and pain of being betrayed by the least expected person.

I couldn't continue like this every day of my life, I would not allow their action to affect my heart, my feelings and my dignity. If they want to screw themselves every day, they can go ahead and do whatever they want. I will keep myself as far away as possible. Once Alexander has signed the divorce papers, they will never hear from me again.

Determined and with my head held high, I wiped away the tears on my cheeks before walking to my wardrobe to select a dress that I’ll wear to the banquet organized by my father. It didn't take long for Maga to knock on the door, and after a few seconds, she opened the door to reveal a brown-haired woman with brown eyes and the biggest, most genuine smile I have ever seen in my life.

It is Abby!

"It can't be. It can't be," Abby became animated upon seeing me and dropped the shopping bags she was carrying in her hands to rush over and hug me with such force that it almost took my breath away. "You're back, you have no idea how much I missed you, Sari. I can't believe it; my best friend is back." She exclaimed.

I responded to her enthusiastic embrace, whilst trying to get my breathing back to normal. It had been a long time since I last saw my best friend; my true best friend. I was getting emotional but managed to calm myself down.

"Abby, I missed you too, but if you keep hugging me so tightly, you're going to lose me forever," I said with difficulty, and realizing the force she was exerting on me, she let go but didn't release my hands, her smile reaching her eyes.

After a while, she immersed herself in my wardrobe with all the confidence she always had, and came back with a stack of dresses that she dropped on the bed.

At least we still had the same sense of familiarity, despite the time we spent apart not seeing or communicating with each other.

And as always, she had to mention her brother. I thought that with time, she would discard the crazy idea of her best friend and her brother being together, but it seems she is still hopeful that we’ll one day become sisters-in-law.

"I'm pregnant," I blurted out instantly, without beating around the bush. She immediately stopped what she was doing, with an expression of shock and surprise on her face. So much so that she had to sit on the bed and fan her face with her hand dramatically; always the drama queen.

"It can't be, is that the reason you're here? He doesn’t want it?" She asked, alternating between concern and anger, her eyes roving between my face and my belly, which is under my bathrobe.

If that was the case, it wouldn't be as tragic as the real reason, but he doesn’t even know I'm pregnant. "He cheated on me with my friend." I informed her of the true reason so that she wouldn't draw her own conclusions, and her face completely changed.

I sat down next to her and told her about the tragic moment when I discovered Alexander with Rachel just as I was about to give him the news that he was going to be a father. I also filled her in on the attitude of his family and some of his friends towards me. Abby couldn't stop uttering curses and insults on the Lancaster family, their friends, and even more towards Rachel.

"Do you know what? With this, it shows that you're stronger than anyone can imagine. If I were in your place, I would die, no, I would be seeking revenge. But look at you, fresh as a daisy, with all the right attitude. That's my friend. Even more so, that jerk doesn't deserve a woman like you, and that b***h, what kind of friends did you find? That slut has no dignity. Karma will take care of them. You just sit back and watch them pay dearly. Look, this dress will be perfect for you. I'll call my stylists to work their magic." She got up from the bed and walked towards her bags to get her cellphone to make a call. "Rose, come to the Doinel villa. Tonight will be very special."

The hall was filled with the high and mighty from society. My father had organized an exclusive party where attendance was strictly by invitation and no media or paparazzi were granted access. He did it mostly, so the media wouldn't dig deep enough to reveal the face of the Doinel heiress. My father preferred it that way, since the day some people attempted to kidnap me. Luckily, I was very young and had no memory of that tragic event.

The red dress with diamonds on the skirt, from my Dionel's collection, highlighted my fair skin and thin waist and the long skirt had a slit running up to the middle of my right thigh. It looked very sensual and modest at the same time. I left my brown hair falling over my shoulder, revealing the low back neckline of the dress. The stylists had done a great job with the sober makeup, highlighting each feature of my face without going overboard. I felt very comfortable and satisfied with the result, but I couldn't help but feel nervous.

I hadn't attended any socialite events or the ones organized by Leonardo Doinel for many years. I had left all of this behind to be with Alexander, who, due to the nature of his business, attended such big events but had taken me out on just one occasion, where I didn't stay for more than twenty minutes, because I had bumped into his sister and mother. They waited for Alex to be distracted and then launched an attack on me for attending an event that only wealthy and important people were invited to, not a nobody like me. The truth was, I never cared about what they said to me and I ignored their constant abuse. However, I left the place when they mentioned that Alexander's image would be damaged if he appeared with me at such important events.

Enough with the memories. I scolded myself.

"You look beautiful." My father said for the umpteenth time and I smiled in response. He hooked his arm with mine as he guided me into the interior of the huge and luxurious banquet hall of the Palace Royal club, and together we greeted the guests, without introducing ourselves to anyone as father and daughter. It didn't take long for me to locate my friend, hanging onto the arm of a man who is almost six feet tall, with brown eyes that I remembered vividly. He has an athlete's body with tanned skin, whilst he spotting a well-groomed stubble beard.

“You look beautiful. Mr. Doinel, I hope you don't mind if I steal your daughter for a few minutes, I'll return her in a short while.” Gina said.

My father gave her a serious look, but she didn't wipe the smile off her face. She was more excited than anyone else in this place.

“Miss Dubois, I see you're still as impertinent as ever. Regardless, I'll lend her to you.” I laughed at my father's words. He has always called my friend impertinent.

“Thank you for your compliment, Mr. Dad.” She said, smiling from ear to ear. It seems she likes it when my father calls her that, and she has gotten so used to the term.

“Go on in peace, Sarah is in good hands.”

“I doubt it.” My father said to himself, but I heard him.

“I'll be waiting for you at the table with your mother. Don't be late. I have an important announcement to make in a few minutes, I love you.” He kissed me on my forehead, as he had done as far back as I can remember, and then he left, bidding farewell to my friend and her companion.

“I know your father is very strict, but I'm sure deep down in his heart, he likes me.” Gina said after letting go of the brunette's arm and hooking hers onto mine.

Of course, my father likes her, it's just that he doesn’t approve of how liberal and carefree Abby is. I thought while discreetly glaring at her, at the same time digging my nails into her arm for the nonsense she had just said.

“Ouch, no violence.”

“Abby, for God's sake, stop saying so many absurd things.” The deep, calm, and smooth voice of the man made me look in his direction. For a moment, I thought he would agree with Abby's craziness. I was relieved to know that I'm not the only sane one.

“Long time no see, Sarah. Look at you, all grown up.” He said with a sparkle in his brown eyes, as he approached me to give me a hug in greeting. I closed my eyes and smiled at the comfort of his arms. I missed him.

“Woman, no, a goddess, she's perfect for you.” We disengaged from the hug when we heard what Abby said. We both glared at her and she shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll keep quiet for the time being, but don't think I'll give up.” She said, not minding our glares.

“It's good to see you after all these years, Paul. You are now strong and muscular; you didn't look like that the last time I saw you.” I greeted him kindly, trying to ignore my friend who kept joining her fingers to form the shape of a heart.

“Nothing I can't achieve by exercising. Are you back for good? I hope so, because then we can work together for a long time.” He suddenly changed the subject, and I didn't quite understand what he meant by ‘working together’.

Well, I know that his parents are partners in my father's company, but both of us working together. I don't think so.