It was the Oxford Open Day, and I was a ball of unrepressed nerves. The last month has been extremely hectic in terms of my mental health and I finally realise now that what happened to me was not my fault. Nicholas has been a sexual predator since high school, and after my story hits the news and media outlets, so many other girls have come forward with their own stories, some even with stories that played out while I was still with him.
It seems I started a #MeToo movement among the wealthy upper class.
As it turns out, there was no video footage of what occurred between Nicholas and I. It had been erased but Sebastian and Elijah’s statements coupled with my torn dress and photos of my bruises were enough to prosecute him. But Anabelle’s statement was what surprised us all; what she had to say cemented Nicholas’ fate, and the Addington's became pariahs in the social circles. Sebastian financially crippled them by causing their stocks to drop. I woul
I walk up to Elijah at the end of the lecture with Anabelle in tow and shake my head. “Very sneaky, Mr Somersett. Why didn’t you tell me you were the alumni delivering the lecture this morning?” I ask, and he tries to hide his smile. “I guess I wanted to surprise you. Did it work?”Did it work? More than.“Well, I was certainly surprised, yes. Your lecture was very well thought out and spoken, I think I might just take this course after all.” I say and I see him turn serious at this. “It’s not easy though, Elena. Exeter will test you proficiently, and if you fail, it takes quite a while to come back from it.” He says, and I am taken back at the honesty of his words. Surely it wasn’t that difficult?“Are you speaking from experience, or are you only trying to scare me from applying?” I ask him, crossing my arms in front of me, “Anabelle has enrolled, and she is extremely happy here.
ElenaCurled up in bed as the day's events play over in my head. I truly wanted this position at Exeter, but Elijah has put me off going. I refuse to do online courses because I am tired of being stuck in this villa all day. Urgh!I changed my mind about going out tonight. I'm not interested in being around people right now. Today has been more disappointing than anything else and it all had Elijah's name written on it. I have grown so tired of his advances. How much longer will he continue to pursue me when he knows that I am Sebastian's?A knock on the door sounds and in walks my husband with a worried frown on his face. "Is it safe to enter?" he asks, and I smile as I sit up from the safety of my fluffy blanket. "Only for you, love," I answer and he walks in after closing the door behind him. He sits down next to me on the bed and takes my hand in his. "What happened after our phone call?" he asks, holding my gaze. I sigh at this question. Ho
Elena Our first week in Little Cayman was heaven! The villa he bought was luxurious and had all our needs catered to. It was a five bedroom log villa with floor to ceiling windows, lush gardens, an indoor pool if needed and a Jacuzzi on the terrace. Why Sebastian felt the need to buy a flipping 5 bedroom home, I would never know. Sebastian had all his appointments done via Zoom and Skype video calls, so he was basically still working, but playing at the same time. He was right in what he said back in London; I have not been myself since the thing with Nicholas happened, and I was allowing myself to get dragged under the weight of it. I really wasn't doing well and hiding it, even from myself, but he saw right through it. It's amazing what a break from your daily routine can do to you. My inspiration is back in full force and I can already feel the heavy cloud over my heart lifting. I decided to do my written work on oppressed female authors, wh
Elena"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"Sebastian stumbles into our bedroom, and his eyes fall on me as I jump on our bed. He frowns, "What the hell, Elena!" He asks with a scowl as he takes in my widened eyes. "Did you see a spider again?" I stopped jumping and hopped off the bed into his arms, but I couldn't get my words out. "I... I... Exeter... Got... In..." I say through laboured breaths, but I see the cogs turning in his head when he realises what I have said."You got into Exeter?" He exclaims and I nod so much I swear my head would have fallen off. He picks me up and swings me around while I giggle with glee. I got in! I got into Exeter with my own written work! No help from anyone except citations and I got in. Tears of happiness stream down my cheeks and Sebastian kisses them. "I am so proud of you, Elena," he says and kisses my lips softly. My bottom lip trembles when he says this and I legitimately ugly cry! "Oh, b
Sebastian“I will be a terrible mother. My own mother never showed me any love growing up, so how would I show it to a child? I would ruin them with my unloving presence, and they would grow up jaded and looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places. I would only make them suffer, Anabelle, therefore I do not want any children.”As soon as I heard these words fall from Elena’s mouth, I knew things would be different between the two of us. She had never been this honest with me in the past regarding this. And for what reason? Did she think not having children was a deal breaker in our marriage?She looks up as if sensing me, and the moment our eyes meet, I see the guilt cloud her eyes. Oh, Elena, do you not know that I would love you even if you chose not to bear my children? I walk towards her and Anabelle and the latter look at me before giving Elena a kiss on the forehead and taking her leave. Elena doesn&r
ElenaMirabelle refuses to even speak with me after what happened at the Summer Fable and I decided not to push it. She would forgive my outburst sooner or later. We are currently on our private jet to visit my sister in Paris. Sebastian would be working this side as well as it was his biannual visit to Dumont Enterprises this side. I haven’t seen Eliana since my wedding and truth be told; I miss the prim and proper Wiltshire twin and could not wait to see her! A few hours later, we land and make our way to Sebastian’s villa in the French countryside. We would go sightseeing later on and I could not wait!Sebastian’s cell phone beeps, indicating an incoming call, and I immediately tune out. This would be his work for some reason or another. They always seem to need him. I guess that’s the life of a CEO.I was a complete and utter ball of jetlagged excitement, nearly bouncing off the vehicle walls. Not only would I be visi
SebastianThe air is thick with mourning. And sick curiosity.Elena and I are leading the funeral procession as we leave the church for the cemetery. She has been quiet ever since we came back from Paris and I have to admit that it was jarring. Where our villa used to be filled with her voice and laughter, now there was… nothing. I know it has to do with not making peace with my mother before the accident. Elena has a soft heart, so this is affecting her more than it has me. I have never had a proper relationship with my parents, but they doted on Elena, my mother even more so.When we arrive at the cemetery, I lace my fingers with hers and hold her close. The Dumont tomb isn’t too far into the cemetery and we reach it sooner than I anticipated. My eyes fall on Robert and Eliana as they take up the front with me. Robert looked crushed at this. And I know he wasn’t faking it because Eliana has said he has been hitting the whiskey
ElenaI flop face down on my bed.Today was my first day at Exeter, and I just about burnt thousands of calories due to my anxiety and nerves. I do not know if being anxious burns calories, but it burns something all right. My brain, for one. Anabelle is in a different league to me altogether, her classes are intense English Lit, like I would not cope in her position. But since she’s a literature prodigy, its chump change to her.At least one person had the courage to come and talk to me. His name was Isaac McGowan, and he was such a refreshing sight! Yes, he was from the MacGowan clan of Scotland and disgustingly well off, but he did not feel the need to suck up to me or try to impress me with his stories or wealth. I suppose it helps a lot that he was flat out gay. Ah, I am a homosexual magnet and I love it!“Rough day?” The amused voice of my husband came as he walked over to me and all I did was groan like a llama. H