Rosalie walked the busy streets of the city, immersed in her thoughts, as hurried people passed by. The noise of the cars filled the air, merging with the icy wind that touched his face. She repeatedly wondered why François was so intent on protecting her. "Maybe he was in love with me?" Amid the frenzy of urban life, Rosalie felt guilty for harboring feelings for François. After all, Duncan had been his great love, and the pain of his loss still echoed in his heart. It was hard for her to accept that her heart could belong to someone else, especially someone Duncan seemed to like. As doubt and confusion haunted her, Rosalie suddenly heard a familiar voice cutting the noise around her. It was the voice of François, who had followed her there. Her heart leapt into her chest, and she turned to find him standing before her. In her eyes, Rosalie saw a mixture of determination and concern. It was as if François was willing to face the whole world to protect it, to keep it safe. That
Rosalie watched the seconds creep before her eyes, witnessing the world around her slow down as if in slow motion. What she saw was the imposing figure of her brother, with clenched fists advancing towards her. In an instant, she found herself transported back to her terrible childhood, when she suffered at the hands of her older brother and was neglected by her mother. For a brief moment, the feeling of powerlessness reignited. She was no longer the respected and courageous CEO, nor the devoted mother of two. She had again become just a frightened little girl, helpless in the face of her brother’s fury. However, in the blink of an eye, something happened. An accelerated heartbeat brought with it the appearance of an imposing figure, wrapped in a black overcoat. His robust bearing projected an aura of mystery and determination. Without hesitation, the powerful fists of the figure collided with the brother’s face, causing him to instantly fall to the ground, stunned and unable to
Rosalie walked the busy streets of the city, immersed in her thoughts, as hurried people passed by. The noise of the cars filled the air, merging with the icy wind that touched his face. She repeatedly wondered why François was so intent on protecting her. "Maybe he was in love with me?" Amid the frenzy of urban life, Rosalie felt guilty for harboring feelings for François. After all, Duncan had been his great love, and the pain of his loss still echoed in his heart. It was hard for her to accept that her heart could belong to someone else, especially someone Duncan seemed to like. As doubt and confusion haunted her, Rosalie suddenly heard a familiar voice cutting the noise around her. It was the voice of François, who had followed her there. Her heart leapt into her chest, and she turned to find him standing before her. In her eyes, Rosalie saw a mixture of determination and concern. It was as if François was willing to face the whole world to protect it, to keep it safe. That
In the imposing mansion, located a considerable distance from the capital, the distinguished elders of the powerful and influential Valois family were gathered. In the spacious room, a tense atmosphere enveloped everyone, while a photograph printed in the newspaper of Duncan’s widow lay on the table. That mysterious image, which captured Rosalie in the arms of an unknown man, triggered a heated discussion among those present. Among the members of the Valois lineage, one of them dared to rise, his voice resonating with an intensity that eclipsed the others. It was Victor Valois, whose statement echoed through the room, echoing the indignation that pervaded the atmosphere. He was Duncan’s uncle. " The widow is staining the holy name of the Valois! Duncan left this world recently, and she allows herself to be seen publicly, wrapped in the arms of a stranger!" Victor’s words echoed like thunder, winning the attention of all present, as he proceeded with his defamatory speech against Ros
Everyone was waiting for Ambrosina’s answer, but someone else stood up at the table. The mood was tense, while Rosalie could hear the beats of her heart, however, no way she could deliver François that way. I knew the Valois could hurt him, because for them, all that mattered was the image of the Valois. At that moment, Louie Valois said: " We reached a terrible impasse then, Rosalie. Yet I am willing to sacrifice myself for the good of the family!" All pairs of eyes turned to Louie, including Rosalie’s. " What are you suggesting, Louie?" asked the elder. Louie turned her gaze to Rosalie, and she saw a gleam of triumph in those biting eyes. " I will marry Rosalie, and put an end to rumors. The family will remain strong, and everything will still belong to the Valois. We won’t risk her giving anything to some random man!" Rosalie stood up, feeling outraged at Louie’s totally unreasonable proposal. "Damn! I was planning this from the beginning!" Rosalie watched helplessly as
Rosalie felt disgusted, as Louie smiled triumphantly. But she knew that was the only way to preserve her power, and she needed that power to go after Duncan’s killer. She and Louie were taken to a parlor, where all the wedding details were settled. Including the date. Rosalie was again taken to another place, and then she saw makeup artists, hairdressers entering the huge room to which she was put. Suddenly, she saw what was to come. Her hair was carefully combed and cared for, and a dark blue dress prepared for her. When everything was ready, she was led by bodyguards to the main room, where the reception with the press would take place. Their engagement would be announced on the same day. "Oh God, if Duncan were here" The whole room was prepared for the arrival of journalists, there were vases of white and red flowers everywhere, numerous chairs distributed in rows. And in the center, two huge mahogany armchairs, quilted in wine color. One of them looked like a throne, a
A wave of terror swept through Rosalie’s body, leaving her paralyzed by François’s puzzling question. Her arms lifted, holding her wrists firmly, holding her captive in bed. Her intense and penetrating gaze enveloped her completely, leaving her with a sense of impotence and uncertainty. As she tried to process the situation, she asked herself, "Has he always been this domineering?"The question echoed incessantly in his mind, confusing his thoughts and increasing the tension that hung in the air. Amid the heavy silence, François insisted, repeating the question. At this time, Rosalie found the courage to face the situation. She gathered forces and finally let her voice manifest, breaking the momentary blockade that prevented her from expressing herself.With a mixture of apprehension and determination, she asked:" What are you doing here? " Your voice sounded trembling.When he did not answer her question, but still kept her in bed, Rosalie felt like she was sinking into an abyss. "
Upon hearing Rosalie’s answer, Duncan was surprised and perplexed. She felt as if she had been hit hard, as if she had been used all that time she was by her side. The coldness with which she spoke about the need to have a man by her side to support her in business caused a feeling of betrayal and disappointment to invade him. The reality that Rosalie was willing to marry her late husband’s brother, knowing all the atrocities Louie had committed, shook Duncan to the core. It was as if the ground opened beneath his feet, leaving him aimless and without understanding Rosalie’s true motivations. Feeling used and deceived, Duncan struggled to find words, while a mixture of anger and sadness flooded his being. The woman he thought was the woman of his life, the one for whom he was willing to face any challenge, seemed to have a dark and selfish side that he did not know. The heavy silence hovered between them, leaving a growing emptiness and mistrust. Duncan found himself questioning th