Lucien leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers steepled in thought as Étienne entered the room. His assistant carried a folder in one hand and a determined look on his face.
"You called for me?" Étienne asked, closing the door behind him.
Lucien nodded, gesturing for him to sit. Étienne obeyed, placing the folder on the desk. "I've made arrangements for Sophie," he said, anticipating Lucien's thoughts.
Lucien's brow arched. "Go on."
Étienne opened the folder, revealing a series of documents. "I've crafted a cover story. Sophie will be registered as Amelie Dubios. It's the simplest way to explain her presence in your life without drawing suspicion."
Lucien studied the documents, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You've been thorough."
"I always am," Étienne replied. "The paperwork is legitimate, and I've already informed your legal team. If anyone investigates her background, they'll find a carefully constructed history tying her to the Dubios family."
Lucien nodded, impressed by his assistant's efficiency. "And Sophie? How did she react?"
Étienne hesitated. "She's… resistant, as expected. She wants to leave, to return to her fiancé and her family."
Lucien's expression darkened. "That's not happening."
Étienne leaned forward, his tone cautious but firm. "Lucien, keeping her here against her will—no matter the justification—won't end well. She's not Amélie."
Lucien's jaw tightened. "I know that."
"Do you?" Étienne asked, his gaze unwavering. "Because this entire situation feels like you're trying to rewrite the past."
Lucien exhaled sharply, looking away. "This isn't about Amélie. It's about control. My family took everything from me—her, my choices, my life. This is different."
Étienne sighed, standing. "I've done what you asked. The rest is up to you, but remember—Sophie isn't a pawn, Lucien. She's a person."
Lucien didn't respond, and Étienne took that as his cue to leave.
---
Later that evening, Sophie sat in her room, staring out the window at the sprawling gardens below. Her thoughts were a storm of fear and desperation.
The maid, Madeline, entered with a tray of food, placing it on the small table by the bed. "You should eat," she said gently.
Sophie shook her head. "I'm not hungry."
Madeline sighed, sitting beside her. "Lucien has his reasons, Sophie. He's not a cruel man."
"He's keeping me here against my will," Sophie replied, her voice trembling. "How is that not cruel?"
Madeline hesitated, her loyalty to Lucien warring with her empathy for Sophie. "He's been through a lot. Losing Amélie broke him in ways no one can understand. He's… trying to protect you."
"Protect me from what?" Sophie asked, tears streaming down her face. "I have a family, a fiancé. They're probably sick with worry. How is this protecting me?"
Madeline reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Sometimes, people do the wrong things for the right reasons. Give it time. Lucien isn't as heartless as he seems."
Sophie pulled her hand away, her voice firm. "I don't care about his reasons. I just want to go home."
Madeline stood, smoothing her apron. "I'll leave you to rest. But remember—this place isn't a prison. It's a haven. You'll see that one day."
As Madeline left, Sophie curled up on the bed, staring at the folder Madeline had left behind earlier. Her name was printed neatly on the front: Amelie Dubios.
Her stomach turned at the sight of it. This wasn't her life. This wasn't her name.
And she would do whatever it took to escape.