LOGINLUCIENIt wasn't that I was being pessimistic. I was simply acknowledging the reality of our situation.Ever since our marriage began, I had always been the one taking the initiative while Helene responded in her own quiet way. We'd only just begun making genuine progress, and now she was about to leave the country. It wasn't unreasonable to worry that the momentum we'd worked so hard to build might gradually fade with the distance between us.Suppressing the restlessness quietly stirring inside me, I asked as evenly as I could,"Where are you going?""Country H," she replied."Aunt Eleanor mentioned there's a charming little town there. I want to see it for myself and decide whether it'd be suitable for the magazine's next feature."At least she hadn't brushed the question aside.The thought offered me a small measure of comfort. The fact that she was willing to explain her plans instead of giving me a vague answer was proof that, at the very least, I'd become someone she wanted to k
HELENETwo hours later, my grandparents were visibly growing tired.Noticing the occasional yawn Grandpa tried to suppress and the way Grandma had begun rubbing her eyes absentmindedly, Lucien, perceptive as ever, politely announced that he'd be taking his leave. After seeing my grandparents back to their room, I walked him outside.Side by side, we made our way toward the car parked just beyond the low white fence.For a while, neither of us spoke.Yet the silence between us felt neither awkward nor forced.If anything, it had gradually become something both familiar and comfortable.By the time we reached the gate, Clark had already stepped out of the driver's seat and was waiting a respectful distance away.I stopped walking and turned to Lucien."Thank you," I said softly. "For today."He looked at me without speaking.Over the past few days, I'd done everything I could to reassure my grandparents that I was happy after getting married.They always smiled and said they believed m
HELENEI'd been convinced this dreaded meeting was destined to end in disaster.From the moment Lucien appeared at the doorstep, I'd been mentally preparing myself to step in the instant the conversation took a turn for the worse.Yet...It turned out I'd been worrying for nothing.Seated quietly to one side, I watched in stunned silence as Lucien won Grandpa over within the span of a single conversation. Even Grandma, who had initially regarded him with undisguised reservation, had gradually softened, if only a little.No wonder he was Old Master Blackthorne's chosen successor.With abilities like his and the emotional intelligence to match, I probably wouldn't have looked twice at anyone else either if I were in his grandfather's shoes.Just then, Grandpa called my name."Helene.""Huh?"Still distracted by everything I'd just witnessed, I reacted a beat slower than usual.That earned amused, indulgent smiles from both my grandparents, while the corners of Lucien's lips lifted almos
LUCIENIn response to my apology, Helene's grandfather smiled warmly.Though age had painted his hair almost entirely silver and etched deep lines around his eyes, his posture remained straight, and his gaze retained a quiet, restrained sharpness."Not at all. We've been looking forward to meeting you as well."Unlike his wife, who regarded me with quiet reserve, he made no attempt to hide his curiosity as he studied me openly.Without realizing it, I found myself sitting a little straighter."I should have made time to visit sooner," I said. "That was an oversight on my part, and I apologize for it."The moment I decided to come here, I had already accepted that this meeting wouldn't be easy. Making excuses or trying to skirt around the obvious would only leave a poorer impression, so honesty seemed the only sensible approach.As expected, the older gentleman's expression softened."Helene told us you've been very busy lately. The fact that you still found time to come today is thoug
LUCIENThree days slipped by before I knew it.Ever since deciding to stop passively waiting for our relationship to progress on its own, I had begun making a conscious effort to change the way Helene and I interacted.Every morning before leaving for work, I'd send her a message, and every evening, I'd let her know when I got home.Whenever something mildly amusing happened during the day, I'd find myself telling her about it, even if it was nothing more than Adrian wearing a thoroughly resentful expression whenever I insisted on leaving the office on time.To my quiet delight, the effort hadn't been in vain.Helene gradually began replying more often.Sometimes she'd tell me what she had spent the day doing. Other times, she'd send me shots of her garden or the latest smoothie she'd made, asking which one looked more appealing or what I thought she should try making next.Our conversations remained simple, yet each one lasted a little longer than the last.It wasn't a dramatic chang
HELENEAfter hanging up the call, I remained standing by the window for a long while, watching the evening gradually settle over the quiet neighborhood before finally letting out a soft sigh.From Grandma's sudden declaration that she and Grandpa were returning to Solstice, to their arrival and the relentless questioning that followed, I had barely found a moment to gather my thoughts.Only after speaking with Lucien did something occur to me.Even though I had known from the moment Grandma announced they were coming that I wouldn't be returning to Monarch Park that night, it hadn't even crossed my mind to let him know beforehand.That was entirely my oversight.Whether our marriage was real or not had nothing to do with it. It was simply basic courtesy to let the person I was living with know I wouldn't be coming home for the night.Instead, he had been the one to call and ask where I was.The thought left me feeling even more apologetic than before.When I returned, I'd have to apol
LUCIENI read through the document in front of me meticulously, and only signed my name at the bottom after confirming there were no issues.The entire time, I could feel my trusted assistant—Adrian Hale’s—hesitant gaze lingering on me from across the study table. He had been like that for the pas
HELENEI had barely driven out of the villa compound where the Laurents lived when an incoming call notification lit up the dashboard screen.Grandma.I used to think that after all these years—and with the memories of my past life—I had successfully detached myself from whatever the Laurents did.
HELENEThe seating arrangement was almost identical to two days ago.My mother and Noemie sat together on one sofa. I sat alone on the opposite one. My father and Camille occupied the two armchairs.Only this time, there was no need to wait for anyone to arrive.Everyone was present.“I know this i
HELENEMorning sunlight filtered through the curtains and spilled across the bed.Feeling the warmth brushing against my skin, I cracked my eyes open and glanced at the baby-pink alarm clock resting on the bedside table.6:09 AM.Still early.With no pressing obligations weighing on my mind, I clos







