The CEO’ s second choice novel Chapter 38

　　Elena

　　The Midford Winter Ball was always the last event before Social Season kicked off. They would expect me to attend all these events as a Dumont Representative, and somehow, I knew I could do it.

　　“By the way, love, I thought you might want to know that Sarah’s family hosts this ball. She is a Midford.” He says, and my eyes widen at this. Sarah Midford? So not only did Sebastian screw around with his business partner, she was a Midford as well.

　　This bothers me some, as he could easily have married her instead of me. Where I was literally royalty, she had a powerful name and family. They hailed from Australia and settled here over ten years ago. They did not have the same pull as The Wiltshires or Dumonts, but the name demanded respect.

　　“Why didn’t you settle for someone like Sarah, Sebastian?” I blurt out without thinking, and I see the scowl forming on his face. Damnit, I surely know how to put my foot in it. He sighs. “Because as much as Sarah and I shared a bed at times, we can not stand one another. Her alpha female display in front of you the other day was just that; a display. We loathe one another, Elena. If it wasn’t for alcohol, I would never have touched her in the first place.” He says, and I found that I believed him.

　　Every time I caught them together, he had bourbon on his breath.

　　Sebastian gets out of the car when we arrive and opens my door and I get out. He takes my hand in his and we saunter inside Midford Hall. This family loved putting their wealth on display and were extremely arrogant in doing so.

　　Heads turn to face us as we walk in, and I catch the envy radiating from every heiress and socialite in the room. Gosh, was Sebastian that attractive? I glanced up at him with a swoon and decided that he was most definitely that attractive.

　　“Oh, I forgot to mention, love, Oxford has an open day in about a month’s time which I will be attending, Oxford Lit Alumni will be attending. I am hoping to pique one of the Alumni’s interests enough for them to mentor me.” I say, telling him about my day, and I see the warmth in his eyes. He nods. “I am sure you will pique all of their interests, love. I am so very proud of you.” He says and plants a gentle kiss on my forehead.

　　The forehead kisses he gives always mean more to me than a deep and passionate one, and I am sure he just cemented our marriage in front of the others.

　　We spent the next few hours socialising and for once; I felt free. As if I could take on the world with Sebastian at my side. “Elena, darling!” The voice of Mirabelle came, and I turned to face her. Oh, my gosh, I have missed this woman!

　　“Mom!” I say, wrapping my arms around her in a warm embrace and taking in her lovely scent. She looked beautiful in her deep burgundy gown and I told her as such, but she waved me off. “Oh, psh, you are the gorgeous one, this dress! Dior?” She asks and I nod. “How could you tell?” I ask her, impressed by her keen eye, and she flashes me a smile. “Because I use Dior, Meghan is a God sent and her work is impeccable.” She admits and I smile at this, having seen her and my dress, I knew this to be true.

　　“I see you’re drinking wine. Will I be getting a grandchild soon?” She suddenly asks me and I, in a very ladylike fashion, sputter and choke on my wine. I cough and dab at my mouth with a napkin. “Uhm, not any time soon as I will be studying for the next 3 years,” I tell her honestly.

　　Children? NOW? I do not think so; I am in no position to be a mother while my husband works and sees the world. I will make a name for myself so my future children could be proud of their mother for being more than an heiress.

　　Mirabelle pouts. “Don’t take too long, dear. I would like to enjoy my grandchildren while I am still in my prime!” She says and takes a sip of her champagne. This woman, I love her to bits but she also made me want to pull my hair out. “I won’t, mom. I promise.” I say and plant a kiss on her cheek, to which she smiles. Her eyes shine with unshed tears as she looks at me, “You remind me so much of my Michelle,” she says before walking off and leaving me with one question on my mind.

　　Who is Michelle?

　　I look around the room and see my best friends, Esme and Charlotte as they stood and chatted to their respective fiancees. They see me and I wave, smiling warmly at them, and they blow kisses at me, causing me to giggle. When Sebastian left to talk to some investors, they had immediately pulled me to one side requesting I tell them everything since they heard all the rumours surrounding our marriage. So I told them everything, with them shrieking in all the right places; especially when I told them I was no longer a virgin. They looked so happy for me and wished me all the happiness ever. Esme would leave for Australia as Steven Midford was her intended. Charlotte would stay here because her fiancee was a Lord up in Kensington, which meant I would see her more.

　　I feel intense eyes on me and scan the room again, my eyes falling on Nicholas. Rolling my eyes, I look away from him and walk over to the other side of the hall to find a ladies’ room. I never thought seeing Nicholas would sicken me to the point of nausea, but that was how I felt now. He deceived me, all to get me into bed then ship me off to The States.

　　I feel a rough grip on my wrist as I turn the corner and spin around to face my assailant, ready to push him away. Nicholas pins me to the wall and peers down at me. “Did you truly mean what you said?” He asks me and I can smell the vodka on his breath. This scared me even more, as Nicholas never used to drink alcohol.

　　“What are you talking about, Nicholas?” I ask him as terror creeps into my heart. What was he going to do? He glares down at me. “Did you give Sebastian what was mine to take?” He says in a low growl and I try to push him off me, to no avail. I knew I would not be able to overpower him because he works out daily, so I was basically pushing against a brick wall.

　　“That has nothing to do with you!” I cry out, looking around for help, but there was no one around. Where was the Midford staff?! He moves his face closer to mine and I feel my blood run cold, “Oh, but it has everything to do with me, Elena. Your virginity was mine to take and now that you have given it up to someone unworthy, I will just have to sample you as I never could before.” He says, and I feel his lips on mine as he forces his tongue inside my mouth. I try to push him away, but it is useless. Nicholas rips the front of my gown and paws my breasts, squeezing them painfully, and I cry out in pain, with tears streaming down my face.

　　He removes something from his pocket, and I feel my dress rip open even more.

　　“Your body is mine, Elena!” He says in a low growl as he separates my legs with his foot and he pushes against me again. I could feel his arousal through his pants and whimper as he refused to budge from in front of me.

　　“Nicholas, please!” I beg him through sobs, but all he does is force more kisses onto me. I clamped my eyes shut when suddenly I felt him being wrenched away from me. I hear blows and punches and Nicholas crying out in pain. I didn’t dare to open my eyes, in case this person wanted to finish what Nicholas started.

　　“How dare you touch Lady Dumont! You are not even worthy of being in her presence!”

　　My eyes flew open at those words. That voice, the voice of my saviour was….