ALEXANDER
I left with a heavy heart and discomfort in my chest, from that office where all the desire I had to talk to Sarah disappeared.
I was angry with everyone, with my mother, with the pair of men who did nothing but argue on Sarah's behalf, and with this Abby who apparently knew a lot about my family. But above all, I was angry with "Ms. Petit," and I didn't know if it was because I couldn't see her at that moment or because this Vincent Lefevbre seemed very interested in her, as if he didn't care that she had just gotten divorced.
I passed by the vice president's assistant and arrived at the elevator where my mother was waiting for me with a completely red face. She was angry because she didn't get her way, but I was even angrier for acting the way I did in front of those people, when the reason we were here was to apologize personally to Sarah.
It took me some convincing to get my mother to come, and in the end, she agreed without arguing. What I didn't know was that she had other intentions, and when I found out, it was already too late.
"They will pay for this, no one humiliates Amelia Lancaster, especially not those insolent rude people who didn't miss a second to offend me. And you, I can't believe you didn't do anything to defend your own mother." My mother complained as the elevator started descending to the parking lot where the rented car was.
I took a deep breath and looked at Amelia before grabbing her by the arms and giving her a fierce glance. I wasn't very happy that we were still with her. What kind of person had I chosen as my mother? She was so disrespectful, even after I scolded her more than once, she didn't stop until Ms. Dubois put her in her place.
"You know very well why we came all the way here. All you had to do was apologize to my wife, but instead, you earned every single word those people said. Do you know why I didn't defend you? Because you deserved it for being disrespectful. You attacked them as if they had done something to you. Where are your manners? You have embarrassed me." I spat in her face without erasing my stern gaze, as if I were shooting millions of arrows at her with my eyes.
I let go of her, leaving her surprised with her mouth slightly open as she touched the arm where my hands had been. I didn't even grab her forcefully, I just wanted her to look me in the eyes.
"What monster have you become, Alexander Lancaster? How dare you speak to your mother in that way? But of course, surely you have learned the worst from Sarah in those two years of marriage. Your wife? In case you forgot, you are already divorced! She's no longer your wife, she's the wife of half the world. Not only did Mr. Paul fool you, but also Mr. Lefevbre. It's no wonder she got the position..."
My blood boiled as I heard her refer to Sarah in that way, as if she had no respect for her, as if she were just anyone.
"Shut your mouth! It's the last time Sarah's name comes out of your filthy mouth, and even less to tarnish her name. Otherwise, be prepared for the consequences." I shouted, looking at her intently, interrupting any nonsense she was about to say about Sarah.
The metal doors opened, and I walked out without waiting for her towards the car. My mother followed me quickly and in silence. After that, she didn't say another word, which I appreciated. I hated raising my voice at her, but she was asking for it by messing with the woman I chose as my wife and failed to value.
I got into the car and started it as Amelia got in the passenger seat.
The drive was silent, the only voice heard was that of the GPS indicating the way to the hotel where we were staying.
My muscles couldn't relax since the moment I left the office that was supposed to be Sarah's and was being occupied by a couple of men who were somehow connected to her. I didn't know how, but it was evident that Mr. Lefevbre was very interested in her. I noticed it from the beginning when he was about to call her... "my prin..."?
"Princess?"
Since when did Sarah have so much confidence in that guy who replaced Mr. Doinel's position?
What made me most angry was that he admitted he was very interested in Sarah. It was evident when he talked about her as the best woman that could exist, with a sparkle in his eyes and the way he defended her against all of Amelia's attacks.
At that moment, I tried to remember if I ever stood up for her when she needed it the most, like Vincent did. But no image came to my mind.
I hit the steering wheel of the car, causing the horn to sound in the middle of the road, and I had to take a deep breath to calm my frustration or I would end up having an accident.
I wasn't angry with Amelia, nor with those people, and certainly not with Sarah. I was angry at myself, for being a damn idiot, for giving her so little, crumbs, when she gave me everything she had.
"I'm afraid the apology should come from your mother, and even then, it doesn't solve anything, so it won't be accepted. The damage has already been done, and Sarah has nothing to talk to you about since divorcing from the Lancaster family. And even though the main reason was your infidelity towards her, I'm starting to realize that it wasn't the only reason. I see that she hasn't been treated as she deserves, like the princess she is, and I won't allow them to keep walking all over her. If you have something to say to her, you can say it to me. She is no longer alone, and the most reasonable thing you can do is to stay away from her definitively."
Vincent's words hit me like a strong slap, generating doubts that I needed to clarify and leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth just by imagining myself walking away from her without talking first.
Was she capable of enduring my mother's attacks?
Was that another reason why she didn't hesitate to get divorced?
Why didn't she ever tell me?
Why didn't she come to me from the beginning?
I would have put a stop to it from the start.
I stopped the car outside the hotel and looked at Amelia with contempt.
"You always treated Sarah badly when she was still my wife, didn't you?" I asked calmly, although it was becoming very difficult for me. I would never forgive my mother if she had ever mistreated her.
"What? I would never do such a thing. If I'm against her now, it's because of her audacity. She didn't wait even a second to divorce you and get involved with other rich men. Are you so blind for her that you can't see my true intentions?" She replied with seriousness, but I didn't believe a single word.
I always knew she wanted someone of the same status for me, and her dislike for Sarah was more than evident. Still, I ignored all of that when I made her my wife, and my mother seemed to have accepted her after all. She even invited her to have tea at the villa, and she would stay for hours with my mother and sister. When could they have mistreated her? She would have told me, right?
The only person who can clarify all of this was Sarah. I needed her to tell me the truth, even though it was too late to do something about it. But at least I would apologize for everything, for not being the husband she expected.
I couldn't give up on the trip, I couldn't leave without talking to her, even if it was just for a minute.