Chapter 28

Elena’s POV:

I wanted to object to Irina's suggestion, but I was caught off guard when the door was swung open. I turned around to see who it was, expecting to see Zoey, who had just returned to Los Angeles.

I couldn't believe it was Sarah standing in the doorway. I looked at her like I had seen a ghost.

What could she be doing here? None of my family cared to visit me ever since I got married and moved in here.

I stood up from the bed, my heart beating fast as I looked at her. What is she doing here? Is she up to something again?

"Sarah? What are you doing here?" I asked calmly.

I remembered how she set me up on my wedding day and ruined everything, but that her plan made me happy.

Her facial expression was mixed with sadness and regret, and I frowned at her and walked to the other side of the room.

I looked through the window. I wasn't ready to have any conversation with her, and at the same time I couldn't send her out of my house.

She slowly walked into the room and stood close to me. Immediately, she knelt on the ground, holding my pyjamas in her trembling hands. Her eyes were filled with tears, and she sobbed.

"Excuse me, ma'am," Irina said, and she walked out of the room, leaving me and Sarah alone in the room. Irina's facial expression hardened before she left, and I knew that she wasn't happy.

Sarah looked up at me with tears rolling down her cheeks. “Please forgive me, sister. I never intended for that to happen. I was angry that day, thinking that you cheated with Caleb and that I was only blind. I couldn't see that you were speaking the truth."

I walked to the other side of the room, trying to process what was happening. Nothing had prepared me for this. In fact, I have been at peace since I got married, and I have started a new chapter.

I didn't say a word; I was holding myself back from saying something stupid. Sarah walked up to me with her eyes still rolling down her cheeks.

“I only wanted to protect Dad's company and Caleb's heart." She continued. Her voice was cracking. 

I looked at her as she explained. I didn't want to say anything, but I wanted answers.

Why had she accused me of cheating with Caleb? Why had she tried to ruin my reputation? I wanted answers, and I was furious.

I looked at her, trying to understand why she had done what she said: “And who are you to protect his heart?" I asked, and my voice trembled slightly.

“You cost me my life, Sarah. You should have been there for me that night. Even when I was drunk, you should have helped me. Nothing happened between the guy and me. You know me better than everyone, but you chose to ruin my wedding." I felt a huge lump form in my throat as I spoke, remembering the pain.

Sarah looked up at me. "I was under a lot of pressure," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "Dad's company was on the verge of going bankrupt again. I was confused." She shook her head. "I didn't know what to do, and I made a mistake."

"Why do you care about Dad's company all of a sudden? Because of your inheritance?” I asked, "Haven't I been the one helping out all along? Why didn't you get married to a stranger since you were the heir to Dad's company?"

Sarah looked down; her eyes were fixed on the floor as she sniffed. "I know I messed up; I was trying to protect what I thought was important, but I ended up hurting you instead." She paused, taking a deep breath. "Can you ever forgive me, Elena?" she pleaded.

She kept crying, and I saw that she was remorseful and regretted her actions. I held her shoulder and lifted her.

“I forgive you, Sarah," I said. "You are my sister, and I have never had anything in mind for my family. I blame Caleb for calling off the wedding. At least I am happy now with a better man." I smiled.

Sarah wiped her tears. "You forgive me?" she asked. She looked at me in disbelief.

I nodded my head and smiled. "Yes, I do. We never know what destiny has in store for us. Maybe the situation happened to bring Nicklaus and me closer." I said, smiling.

I had stopped holding grudges in my heart. Whatever happened was Caleb's loss.

She wrapped her arms around me, and I did the same. “Thank you so much, sis,” she said.

Just then, the door was swung open again, and Zoey walked into the room. I was so excited to see her since she had been out of the country since after my wedding.

“Zoey!” I exclaimed. I ran to hug her. "Elena, what's going on?" she asked, looking at Sarah with confusion.

I could feel the tension between them, and I knew that Zoey wished she could rip her hair apart and drag her into the filth.

I reached for Zoey and gently squeezed her hands. “It's alright, just let her be.”

Zoey didn't listen to me. She fixed her eyes on Sarah, and it was filled with hatred.