Chapter 12
Lucas stood transfixed. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her memorizing every curve. How did he not notice before? From the very beginning when his grandmother announced his marriage and he learned who his bride was he considered her a frumpy teacher, unworthy and unable to adapt to the social world he inhabited. He insisted she not embarrass herself or him and that she should just disappear but he was
wrong.
She was a star. The way she chatted amicably with Tracy Lamont, a high-class lawyer, and Avalynn Prescott like they were old friends was impressive. Few people would dare to even approach them but Sarah seemed to have no difficulty. But when did she even become acquainted with Ava?
Lucas wracked his brain trying to remember if he ever introduced them and came up with nothing. Whenever they attended events together they always arrived separately. Sarah waited for him outside the venue so they could enter together. She always wore a formless black dress bare of any jewelry save her wedding rings and sometimes a watch she claimed belonged to her grandmother.
After entering they would take a lap around together until Lucas found someone he wished to speak to. Then he’d send her away with instructions not to cause a scene. He never thought of her again, never checked to see how she fared and didn’t even know when she left as she always took a cab home.
God, he was such an asshole!
Lucas swallowed a bitter taste in his mouth as he gazed on her now. Four years he searched and now that
she stood in front of him he didn’t know what to say. He didn’t dare intrude. She looked so happy. Her smile,
her laughter, it was intoxicating. He couldn’t look away. He didn’t dare blink less it all evaporated like a
mirage.
Suddenly his view was blocked by a familiar brunette silhouette. He had come alone but his sister received
her own invitation and naturally brought Madeline. The pair tried to stick close to him at first but he merely shrugged them off. He had forgotten either was still around and now he watched in horror as Madeline
strutted toward Sarah like a lioness who just found its prey.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in!” Madeline taunted loud enough to draw everyone’s attention.
Sarah turned at the sound of the voice her smile fading but she didn’t flinch and mentally congratulated herself for that fact alone. Of all the people she desperately wanted to avoid her ex-husband’s lover topped. the list but she wouldn’t let herself be intimidated: not again, not anymore. She maintained what she hoped was a neutral expression as she coolly studied the other woman.
Madeline wore a revealing red gown with a v-line so deep it practically went to her naval. Unsurprisingly her neck was encrusted with a diamond and ruby necklace that seemed far too heavy for her slim neck. It somehow looked expensive and cheap at the same time.
“I just can’t believe it,” Madeline smirked. “I thought you knew better than to come crawling back here. You really can’t let go, huh? No one wants you around. Pathetic!”
“Who says?” a deep, baritone voice suddenly demanded as Silas made his way through the crowd wrapping a protective arm around Ava. “One wonders how a mere secretary has the audacity to speak out of turn. Or have you forgotten your place?”
Madeline blushed hesitating at his harsh words as murmurs circulated through the crowd.
“Si, it’s all right,” Sarah said giving him a grateful smile. ” can handle this.”
Silas nodded giving her the floor. Sarah looked again at her would-be rival. She could almost laugh at her old self for ever being intimidated in the first place.
“Frankly, I don’t know where you got your information, Maddie,” Sarah said knowing how much Madeline hated the nickname. “But I don’t crawl and unlike you I don’t have to pretend to be something I’m not. I was having a very pleasant time catching up with friends and I am quité certain none of us invited you to join. So who exactly is the unwanted one here?”
Madeline blushed as everyone watched her. No one came to her rescue as Sarah suddenly, closed the distance between them with a grim smile and mischievous glint in her eyes. Madeline suddenly realized there was more than a small height difference between them with Sarah standing several inches taller.
1
“But let’s set the record straight for everyone. I don’t need anyone’s permission to be here. Unlike you, I don’t need anyone to hold me up. And, most importantly, you are no longer my problem.” Sarah held up her hand displaying to all she wore no wedding band and she wasn’t ashamed in the least. “Have fun while you can. He’ll get tired of you eventually. They all do. Because you are forgettable…like a tissue.”
Sarah chuckled at Madeline’s dumbfounded look before turning away and rejoining her group. Ruth was practically bursting with excitement. Tracy and Ava were better able to hold their exuberance but there was no denying the delighted sparkle in their eyes. Thomas chuckled and Silas bowed to her, acknowledging her superiority in handling the situation as well as trying to hide his own smile.
Sarah breathed deep. She already felt a bit lighter. In fact she felt fantastic! No doubt Rosemary was smiling
too.
