Break up

"Uncle Sebastian, I want to break this engagement with Noah," she declared as clarity made her resolve stronger.

Both Noah and Sebastian were stunned to hear that. A flicker of uneasiness passed through Noah's eyes, but he brushed it off.

"Good god, finally I can get rid of you," Noah mocked Esme with a sneer.

Sebastian glared at him, while Esme simply looked at him, watching his ugly side up close this time.

"Shut up Noah," Sebastian scolded him.

But Esme didn't bother to waste her breath on him.

"Whatever," he muttered and walked away, intentionally bumping Esme with his shoulder. She stumbled back a little, but didn't fall.

"Brat," Sebastian scolded Noah, who disappeared outside.

Esme took a deep breath.

"Uncle, I mean what I said just now. I want to break up with Noah," she repeated again.

Sebastian looked at her sadly.

"Esme, my child, I know Noah wronged you. But he is not bad. He is doing all this under the influence of that witch Nicole. Please think again," Sebastian requested.

Esme no longer feels the same about Noah. Being influenced by someone is just an excuse for justifying their bad behavior. But Esme didn't say that to Sebastian. He was like a father figure to her, and she didn't want to hurt him.

"Uncle, it doesn't matter who is influencing him. He doesn't like me anymore. It's better to break up," she spoke carefully.

Sebastian touched her head in a paternal gesture.

"Esme, I am not justifying Noah's behavior. But think about it. It was your father who wished you to get married to Noah. It was his last and only wish for you. Noah will change his mind once he realizes that he is making a mistake. Don't make this old man sad. I lost my only friend, your father. Now, if you too break off this engagement, I will not be able to take it. Please, Esme, think again," he pleaded.

Esme couldn't bring herself to refuse Sebastian, even though she couldn't see a future with Noah anymore.

"I will think about it" she replied.

Sebastian smiled brightly.

At 6 feet height and in his late fifties, Sebastian was also an ex-marine who retired early after his wife passed away. David and Sebastian used to be colleagues and were always good friends.

"I know you will not disappoint me," he replied fondly.

Esme gave him a forced smile. She remembered one of the reasons why she came to visit him.

"Uncle, thank you so much for taking care of everything. I heard that you settled the hospital bill as well. I cannot thank you enough for the help," she thanked him earnestly.

Sebastian smiled softly.

"I am growing old. I am glad that we could help you, it's not me who did all that. It was Leo. If you want to thank someone, thank him. It should have been Noah who should have been there for you. But never mind, at least one of my sons has a functioning head on their neck to know what is right and what is wrong," Sebastian replied.

Esme is surprised to hear that it's Leo Ashford who helped her. She remembered how he saved her from the pool and how he carried her away from the hospital when she was breaking apart on the hospital floor.

"No worries, uncle. I will thank Mr. Ashford later in person. I will get going now. I have a class project to submit as I missed classes in the last couple of weeks," she said before leaving the Ashford residence.

When she was outside, she received a call from her professor, who is also her mentor.

"Good morning, Professor Night," she greeted him.

"Esme, I suggest you come to the university campus right away. Nicole lodged a complaint that you stole her project." Esme's professor, Professor Night, informed Esme.

Professor Night is a very good teacher in his late sixties. He always supported Esme wholeheartedly, and he is the person who recognized Esme's talent first during her sophomore year. Since then, he is her guide and mentor. And Esme's talent improved alot over the years under his guidance.

"Professor, you know that's not true. Why do I have to steal someone else's project when I already did mine. You already reviewed my project. You know that too," Esme reminded Prof. Night.

"I know that, Esme. But Nicole already submitted the project a week ago. It's the same project we discussed. I didn't notice that before. And I submitted your project this morning on your behalf. So, naturally everyone is assuming that you stole her project. Its bad here. The principal is angry thinking that you plagiarized Nicole's work. Come here this instant," he insisted.

Esme is stunned.

"I am on my way, Professor," she replied before disconnecting the call.

She exited the taxi outside the Silverstone University, one of the Ivy League universities in the world. The moment she stepped inside the Interior designing department building, everyone started to murmur while pointing their fingers at her. And they are not being Quiet either.

'She is a thief'

'How can she steal Nicole's work?'

'I thought Esme was genuine and talented'

'She tried to kill Nicole that night, now she stole her project?'

'How can someone be so shameless?'

Everyone believes that Esme is wrong while Nicole is genuine.

Esme smiled bitterly. These were all her friends before. Now they are turning their backs on her because of Nicole.

'Why didn't I see how bad Nicole was before?' Esme wondered.