The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 65

　　Elena

　　I walk out of Wiltshire Towers with a smile on my face I had just sold my family’s dynasty for a cool six billion, which is currently being donated to various organisations. I know what you’re thinking; I sold my family’s legacy for gain, but in all honesty; I didn’t feel attached to the Wiltshire name. I was never proud to be a Wiltshire heir, not with the way my family always used to treat me.

　　Yesterday I received the news that Eliana had committed suicide in prison. She left no note behind to indicate why she did it, but I knew. The guilt over what she did to her own sister became unbearable. Eliana was never the tough one. She never needed to be tough for anything and I had a feeling her heart eventually got the better of her.

　　My sister was never evil she just grew bitter and jaded.

　　After I left the prison that day, I had Sebastian put steps into motion for us to legally adopt Morgan, Eliana and Robert’s daughter. We were met with some disapproval and resistance from Robert, but eventually, he signed the papers. Sebastian and I have decided to tell her about her parents when she’s older, for now, she thinks I’m her mommy for obvious reasons and that Sebastian was her uncle.

　　Oddly enough, everything was falling into place for me for a change. I have not returned to Uni even though I was back to walking and my son was old enough. That pull I used to feel before was gone. Literature was still my first love, but it didn’t rule my life like it used to. My children took up most of my time now and I couldn’t ask for anything better.

　　***

　　6 am

　　It was a crisp Autumn morning when I woke up and headed downstairs for my morning coffee, but the scene before me had me convinced I was still sleeping; Sebastian was downstairs getting the kids ready for daycare.

　　“Uh… What is going on here?” I ask, gesturing to everything and Sebastian turns his head to look at me, grinning that Jake Gyllenhaal smile I still swoon over. “MOMMY!” Came the voices of Aaron and Morgan through bites of cereal and I walked around planting kisses on their heads. “Uncle Bastian making bweakfis!” Morgan says, shoving another spoonful of cereal into her mouth. She was all spitfire and energy at 5 years old but had Sebastian wrapped around her little finger. I giggle at her answer. “Is that so, love? I wonder what the special occasion could be.” I say and wink at my husband, looking yummier than the pancakes he was currently making.

　　He shrugs, “No reason, you looked like you needed to sleep in.” He says, and I felt thankful for this. I was feeling a lot more tired lately, and it might have something to do with the kids and their growing energy each day. Luckily they were in daycare now, so things should ease up a bit.

　　I walk over to Sebastian and wrap my arms around his waist, “Thank you, and good morning,” I say, and he kisses my forehead. “You’re welcome, and I love you too.” This is the best thing to wake up to; the kids talking in their own little language while having breakfast and my husband flipping pancakes. I am sure this is what pure contentment feels like.

　　“Gooooood morning, family!”

　　“Uncle Isaac!” Morgan and Aaron say in unison, and he waddles over to them, wrapping them in hugs and planting kisses on their foreheads. Aaron absolutely adored his uncle and I could tell he looked up to him at 3 years old already. Wait, why was my brother here? “Uh, shouldn’t you be in Sweden with Matthew right now?” I ask with a frown, but he only shrugs. “No flights out today, so I’ll be leaving tomorrow evening. One night won’t kill him.” Hmm. Something was going on. First Sebastian early in the kitchen with the kids dressed and eating breakfast, now Isaac showing up.

　　What exactly did they have planned?

　　I decide not to mention anything and enjoy breakfast with my family even though the whole thing seems fishy. A few minutes later, Sebastian leaves to drop the kids off at daycare, and Isaac and I walk up the stairs to my bedroom. I could tell something was wrong though, so I pulled him into a hug and he let out a painful sigh. “What’s wrong, hun?” I ask, leading him over to the foot of my bed. He sat down and held his head in his hands. “The adoption fell through again,” he says and this was all I needed to hear. My poor Isaac! He and Matthew were trying so hard to adopt a child, but they kept getting turned away because of their sexuality.

　　I join him on the bed and wrap my arms around him, just holding him while he lets out his sadness and misery. Even though I offered my help, he refused it and said they needed to do this the right way and without my sway. This was something I could respect, so I did not meddle in his adoption processes. But with every rejection, Isaac was losing more of his spark, and it killed me to see him like this. “Are you certain you do not want my help, love? I hate seeing you like this!” I exclaim and he lets go of my hug, shaking his head. “We’ll succeed, I know we will.” He always says this when I offer my help and I return this comment with a curt nod.