NARRATES SARAH.
I hadn't slept a wink all night, despite the banquet serving as a distraction from my problems, I couldn't help but keep thinking about the photo Rachel sent me. In the end, she had gotten her way, but in a way, I felt relieved to find out before it was too late.
Now I had to focus on my baby and my new, surprising, and unexpected position as the vice president of Doinel. I didn't want to disappoint my father if he was placing all his trust in me. I just hoped this role didn't become too much for me.
I got up five minutes after tossing and turning in bed. I had to make an appearance at the company today and I wanted to look presentable. The careless and unkempt Sarah had stayed in New York, along with a failed marriage.
After taking a relaxing bubble bath, I put on a navy blue executive dress and a black blazer, simple but fitting for the occasion. I was about to finish styling my hair when the door to my room opened abruptly.
"You have to see this!" Abby entered the room with a serious expression, her eyes about to spark. I looked at her confused, not knowing why she entered my room like that, so early in the morning without even saying hello.
"Good morning, Abby. I slept well last night, thank you for your concern." I said without taking my eyes off her obviously displeased face with whatever she was seeing on her phone.
She approached me and hugged me for a few seconds, realizing how rude she had been.
"I'm sorry, Sarah. It's just that they're despicable. Look at the news they've come up with." Abby showed me her phone. My eyes widened, and my heart sank in my chest as I read my name in the headlines.
"Sources inform us that Paul Dubois has been the reason for Sarah Petit's separation from renowned CEO Alexander Lancaster."
"Infidelity on the part of the new vice president of Doinel is said to have ended her two-year marriage with businessman Lancaster."
"Paul Dubois, Sarah Petit, Alexander Lancaster, a love triangle that ended a happy marriage."
"What the hell?" I said barely audible, not needing to read more to realize that the responsible party for the news was NY Entertainment.
They had used photos from the banquet to twist the context, and I knew exactly who did it, Alexander Lancaster.
NY Entertainment was associated with Lancaster Collection, so of course, they would use their influence to tarnish my reputation after our separation.
Moreover, no one but my family and Alexander knew about the divorce, considering that my parents were not willing to unveil their daughter's identity publicly.
I ruled them out entirely, especially since they would never do anything to harm me. Adding to that, I had no contact with NY Entertainment, leaving Alexander Lancaster as the only suspect.
Why?
What did he gain by defaming me like this when he knows the true reasons for our separation?
Was I such a terrible wife to him?
I couldn't believe I was married to such a despicable man who didn't care about others' reputations, only his own. He was hitting me with this blow as if I were going to expose his infidelity.
With tears in my eyes and heavy breathing, I searched for my phone on the nightstand. I had kept it turned off all night, and when I turned it on, the notifications poured in. I was being tagged in all the news where they shamelessly changed the version. I quickly became a trending topic on social media.
"What a rage! How did the news reach NY Entertainment, being a private event, and in France! Even the local media hasn't dared to comment on it." I said, giving her a look as if the answer was obvious. Her mouth opened, understanding who was behind all the rumors.
"Oh, that son of a... How dare he? Apart from cheating on you with your ex-friend and getting you pregnant, he comes to clear his name with false accusations. I can't believe it. What kind of monster were you married to? This wouldn't have happened if you had noticed my brother. Despite the gossip about him being involved with other women, he would never do something like this. For starters, he would never neglect you as his wife."
Abby seemed more upset than me. Although I was more hurt than upset, I never imagined this from Alexander, why not leave everything behind? Why cause a scandal? Why did he want to defame me?
"If he thinks I will just sit idly by, he's very mistaken." I said, wiping away my tears and regaining my composure.
Enough of the weak Sarah that everyone trampled on whenever they pleased, she wasn't the same person who was humiliated and didn't retaliate, that ended the moment I left New York. Were you looking for the real reason for the divorce?
Well, I would give it to you.