I spin around at the voice behind me and look straight into the eyes of Sebastian. Anger flared in his honey-coloured eyes as he took in the scene before him; Nicholas cupping my cheeks and my arms around his waist.
I feel the anger radiating off Nicholas when he lets go of me and faces Sebastian, “We were just saying our goodbyes. There is no reason to be rude, Sebastian.” He says, meeting Sebastian’s angry stare.
Wait, why the heck was he so angry, anyway?
Stepping forward, I walk towards my supposed fiance and meet his gaze, “Nicholas was my intended before they forced me to marry you, Sebastian. I am saying goodbye to him, that is all.” I say to him and he peers down at me.
“Irrelevant. I will not have another Eliana as my betrothed. You will go with me right this instant as we need to discuss a few things regarding our pending marriage.” He says and turns on his heel, “I don’t like to be kept waiting, Elena.”
I watch him as he strides away and immediately I’m filled with a boiling anger. How dare he? Acting as if I belonged to him now! I almost stomped after him, when suddenly I felt a pair of firm hands on my shoulders. I turn around, looking up into Nicholas’ sad smile.
My heart breaks anew, and I spin around, wrapping my arms around his middle. “I am so sorry, Nicholas!” I cry into his arms and feel him stroking my hair. “Shh, it’s okay, my love. We will just have to soldier on through it. I know you will be strong enough to survive this sham of a marriage, I will wait for you, this I promise.” He says, a gentleman if I ever knew one. I let go of him and meet his gaze.
“I can’t make you wait for me, Nicholas,” I say, shaking my head, So let’s agree to this; if after 5 years you find you still love me, come to me. I will always love you, I do not think my feelings will ever change.”
“ELENA.” Ugh. For a moment I forgot about Sebastian waiting for me.
Nicholas cocks his head towards the mansion, “Go, he’s waiting for you. I love you, Elena.” He says and gives me one last kiss on my forehead. Then he turned around and left me.
I watch him walk away with despair filling my heart. How could he say he would wait for me when I just broke him?The sun was starting to set and it cast a warm glow over the gardens, Nicholas and I would always have our tea in the gardens at sunset; this hour belonged to us. Now I would be spending the rest of my days as a wife to an arrogant CEO.
I turn on my heel and walk towards the mansion where Sebastian was waiting for me.As soon as I step out of the boxwood hedges, I felt myself being pulled and slammed against the mansion wall.“What the-!”
Sebastian looks down at me and puts his palms on either side of my head, caging me in. His face was so close to mine, if he moved his head any closer we would kiss! His Tom Ford scent assaults my senses and I cower in submission. What was this all about?!
“Sebastian, what are you doing?” I breathe out and regard his honey-coloured eyes, which were currently filled with sadness mixed with anger.
He bows his head, and his eyes close. When he looks at me again, he had hidden his emotions but the anger still radiated from him.“Elena, you are aware of what your sister has done. Please do not make me regret this union.”
I stare at him, confused, “I thought you regretted it already.” I tell him as a frown crosses my face.He chuckles then pulls my chin up, making me look into his eyes, “Indeed I do, trading beauty for a podgy replacement isn’t exactly what I’m looking forward to.”
This made me more angry than I ever thought possible, and I push him away with a lot more force than I intended. He looks at me with amusement playing in his eyes, “How dare you, Sebastian! I know my sister has hurt you, but there is absolutely no reason for you to insult me at every turn. I have done nothing but be polite to you.” I exclaim, tears running down my face. This awful man, what did I ever do to him?
I walk towards him and my eyes flash with anger, “What did I ever do to you?! Why do you always feel the need to hurt my feelings? Is it because I have my sister’s face that you feel as if you’re hurting her?” I cry out, horrified at my own honesty. The last comment seems to throw Sebastian off kilter, and he stares at me in surprise.
I turn around and stomp towards the mansion and stare at him out of the corner of my eye. I bet he’s not used to people standing up to him. Good. He better get used to it.
Running inside, I bolt up the stairs and slam my bedroom door with angry tears stinging my eyes.Every time I try to give him the benefit of the doubt, he does this. Every single time I start to be okay with this whole thing, he does something that puts me off. I don’t know what my sister ever saw in that awful man, but by gosh, I never saw it. He’s a terrible person.
With my face buried in my pillow, I lament for the days my life did not include being Sebastian Dumont’s intended bride. I am aware a lot of girls would be elated at the prospect of being married to Sebastian, but not me. I despise him.There was a knock at my door, “Elena, can I come in?” It was my mother. Weird. She never asked for permission to enter my bedroom. I breathe out a strangled yes and clear my throat, grabbing a tissue from my bedside table.
My mother pokes her head in and smiles at me. She then walks in and takes a seat on my bed, “Elena, I am aware that you and Sebastian aren’t the best of friends. I want to tell you a little story about my marriage to your father.” She started, and this actually made me take notice of her.
“Your father and I despised one another before we were married. We bickered and fought and only kept up outward appearances of a happy married couple. Eventually we got used to one another and fell in love, I could not be happier than I am now. You see, love, an arranged marriage does not have to signal the end of your life. Make the best of it while you can; accumulate knowledge, travel, meet influential people. When the 5 years is over, it will prepare you for your own life.”
I look up at my mother who, for the first time in her life, has given me sage advice. I smile at her then throw my arms around her. Her usual Chanel scent burning in my nose, but I smile through it.
When I let go of her, she had an odd look on her face. “Thank you, mother. I will take your advice. Might as well make the best of things.” I tell her and she finally smiles as she gets up from my bed. “Thank you, Elena. Sebastian has asked me to collect you, he is waiting for you downstairs. Please give it another go?”
I look up at my mother and nod, a genuine smile crossing my face, “I will be down shortly.”
With that, she leaves my room and I sigh, walking towards my dressing table to fix my makeup. Then my heart sinks as her words suddenly hit me.Sebastian was still downstairs???
After fixing up my makeup, I leave the confines of my bedroom and walk downstairs. Might as well strike the iron while it’s hot. My mother’s words are still ringing in my ears as I descend the stairs. Could I be the wife to Sebastian as she was to my father?I spot Sebastian’s back and he turns around as soon as he hears the clicking of my heels. At this vantage point, I had to admit that he looked exceptionally handsome; raven hair that was a little long with a fringe that fell in his eyes. His facial hair was a medium stubble beard trimmed to perfection. Tall, yet broad and muscular. Think of Chris Evans.He looks up at me and an unfamiliar expression crosses his face when he takes in my stony expression. Was he going to try and intimidate or insult me again?I come to a stop in front of him, “Sebastian,” I say and he holds out his hand, palm up.“Walk with me, Elena. I think there are a few things we need to discuss,
1am - The morning of my wedding day.My mother and Mirabelle have been fussing over everything all week and it was driving me crazy. They had my walk-in closet cleaned out yesterday and they delivered my clothes to Sebastian’s villa in Kensington. My home from tomorrow.Heck, from today.I haven’t been able to sleep a wink because of nerves. Sebastian and I have been keeping our distance from one another since our kiss in his office, not that I mind! He threw me for a loop with that kiss, and I haven’t been able to think straight since it happened. At our rehearsal dinner, we were amiable, but as soon as it ended we went our separate ways. We barely made eye contact, and I think Sebastian was as awkward as I was.Rolling around under my covers, I sigh in frustration and decide to give up.The public had suspected something had happened, but the news outlets were too scared to report anything bad about the Dumonts. So now they were
A flutter at my bedroom door gets my attention, and I see Mirabelle saunter in with a beaming smile on her face. This makes me want to break down, and I felt light at the same time; everyone is expecting me to be okay with this, but I am not. I know this needed to be done, but yet again I am everyone’s second choice.“Elena, darling!” she exclaims, taking in my wedding attire with her eyes filling up with unshed tears. “You look beautiful, my dear. This dress altogether compliments your body well.”I genuinely smile at her compliment. Ever since I found out she preferred me to my sister, I have been seeing a different side to her. She certainly wanted me to be with Sebastian, but cared about my happiness as well and felt it lay with her son.In the weeks leading up to the wedding, Mirabelle and I spent a great deal of time together. She explained what they would demand of me as a Dumont wife and how the public would look upon me as Mr
I keep my eyes straight ahead as the oak doors swing open and gulp down a breath of anxiety. This was it, I was getting married to the arrogant CEO Sebastian Dumont and there was no turning back. My wedding procession had started, now it would be my turn to enter. The attendees stood up as my father and I appeared at the doorway and I felt myself flush; the cathedral was packed with people I did not know. These were obviously people invited when Eliana would have married Sebastian, people of noble blood and prominent in high society. “Don’t trip, Elena. Don’t trip.” I repeat over and over in my head, willing my self-confidence to come forward as we stride down the aisle. Keeping my head forward and feeling thankful for the veil covering my face, I see Sebastian waiting for me at the altar and my heart beats faster. Why did this man have to look so dashing in a classic charcoal grey three-piece Armani suit? His mouth was a thin
I hold on to Sebastian’s arm as he leads me inside Dumont Hall. I notice that all our guests have arrived before us and frowned. Did Sebastian tell his chauffeur to take us the long way around or something?Seeing all these people here made me start to freeze up again, and I grip Sebastian’s arm tightly. He stares down at me, “Is something the matter?” He asks in that uppity tone of his and I roll my eyes into oblivion, “Just nerves,” I admit, but refuse to make eye contact with him, not after what transpired in the limousine.“Well, I am afraid you will have to get used to the public eye, petite pâquerette. You are my wife now, so all eyes will be on you from now on, Lady Dumont.” Sebastian says with a smirk and my heart skips a beat at his impeccable French. Of course, his family had their roots in France.DumontBut why did he refer to me as a little daisy? I was very far from deli
Eliana beams at me when I turn to face her, my twin sister and double. I could not help myself; I threw my arms around her and inhaled her familiar Dior scent. “Eliana!” I gush, not being able to control my emotions upon seeing my sister. She was a little puffy on the face and her belly was showing, but she still had the same air of poise around her.“I haven’t seen you in almost three months and you turn into a beautiful lady.” She jokes as she takes in my appearance and nods in appreciation. I give her a light slap on her arm, “You know as well as I do that this isn’t exactly how I expected my last few months in England to be.” I shot back a retort but then noticed her smile drop.“Ah, I’m sorry, Eliana-”“No, I deserved that and so much more,” she starts and takes my hands in hers. “Elena, I forced you into this life, and for that, I will be eternally in your debt. I did not e
Was this the woman Sebastian was supposedly in love with? It would make sense since he keeps on going back to her. I walk down the stairs, feeling drained and despondent; couldn’t this darn wedding reception be over by now? Scanning the crowd for Mirabelle, I find her chatting to another couple. I walk over to her, and motion for her from the side until I manage to get her attention. She smiles politely at the couple, then excuses herself before walking over to me. “Elena, darling, is something the matter?” She asks me and I nod, “It has been a long day, mother and it is 8 pm already. Can we please toss the bouquet and call the celebration to a close? I am exhausted.” I say and wait for her to reprimand me and tell me I am a Dumont now and have to accept the social standing that comes with it.But it never came, Mirabelle just beams at me and nods her head, “Of course, love. I understand completely. Let me just find Spencer and Sebastian an
A lady appears from my left side and smiles, “Mrs Dumont, welcome to your new home. I am Ilse and am in charge of the help here in the villa. Please follow me.” She says and motions to the stairs. Ilse looked to be in her mid-50s, she was short and stocky and had her salt and pepper hair tied back in a bun. She wore half-moon spectacles and had a warm, motherly air about her.“Thank you, Ilse,” I tell her as we walk up the stairs. She looks back at me with warm eyes and nods, “You are welcome, ma’am.” She says and we continue to walk in silence until we reach what I assume would be my room. Ilse opens the door to yet another beautiful room. There was a queen sized oak Jacobean four-poster bed in the middle, with silk hanging from the canopy.Wow, wasn’t even a word to describe this room.“This will be your room, Mrs Dumont. We hope you will be happy in your new home.” Ilse says and folds her hands in fr