The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 17

　　The Langford sisters were looking at me as I walked up to them, deep frowns etched on their faces. I sat down. Then all hell broke loose.

　　“Forgive me, MRS DUMONT?!”

　　“You’re married now, Elena?! Why didn’t you tell us?!”

　　I sigh, then glance down, “It wasn’t exactly a decision of my own…” I say sadly, then go on to tell them what has been taking place over the past 6 months, but not before swearing them to secrecy about Eliana’s misdeeds.

　　“Oh my gosh, you’re actually married to the dreamy Sebastian Dumont,” Esme says, swooning and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her. “Dreamy? Really?” I ask her, thinking of my husband as anything but dreamy. I had to admit that he was rather handsome but dreamy? Eh.

　　“Oh, please Elena. Don’t tell me you have not felt yourself drowning in his gorgeous hazel eyes?” Charlotte asks, also clearly under the spell that was Sebastian Dumont.

　　I shake my head, “I don’t like the guy, I never have.” I answer honestly. Deciding not to mention what I walked in on during my wedding reception, I swallow my shame down and look at them. Esme raised an eyebrow and sat forward, “So have you two, you know…” she asks with a smirk and I immediately felt myself going blood red. “No! Gosh, Esme, you’re such a perv!” I respond as I smack her on the arm.

　　The girls giggle at my mortification, and I mentally will my blush to go away. Damn it, why couldn’t I just be confident about these things?

　　“I will merely be with him for 5 years anyhow, then I will be able to divorce him and study at Harvard. I have no desire to see him naked, thank you very much.” I add but they both look at me as if I have gone mad.

　　“Liar,” they say in unison and I am left floundering at my next words. I was not attracted to Sebastian in that way, not at all! I ignored their jests and continued.

　　“When I told Nicholas about the whole situation, he promised to wait for me,” I conclude, reflecting back to our bittersweet goodbye at the Wiltshire Estate.

　　The sisters looked at one another, and I realized something was amiss. “Did I say something wrong?” I ask them while a frown crossed my face. Esme cleared her throat and drew my hand in hers, “Love, haven’t you seen the news? Nicholas is set to marry Annabelle Thompson this coming Spring. Their engagement has been in the works for the last year or so.”

　　No. That can’t be true. I shake my head, “No, you must be mistaken. Nicholas would never lie to me.” He wouldn’t, he would never. He was the love of my life and promised to wait for me. Why would he lie about something like that?

　　Charlotte has a bitter smile on her face, “It’s true, Elena. Our parents informed us when we were in Greece. We assumed you knew, that’s why you always sounded so heartbroken over the phone. I am so sorry, Elena, but Nicholas has been playing you like a fiddle.” She says, as politely as she could.

　　This couldn’t be true! Nicholas was the sweetest and kindest person I knew, he would never lie to me. He told me we would marry when I came back from the States in a few years and drove me to study and pursue my dream!

　　A lightbulb goes on in my head; he was the one who encouraged me to study ABROAD. He always told me I would get into Oxford solely on my name. However, if I made it into Harvard, I would be proving something to my family. Could his engagement be the reason he pressured me to study at Harvard?