The next morning, Anna woke up early, her thoughts still swirling in her mind. The words of Claire, those of Louis, kept clashing in her head. She now knew that her life wasn't as simple as she had thought, but she still couldn't grasp the extent of the power Louis had over her. Why her? Why had he decided to protect her—or manipulate her, depending on the perspective?
As she headed to the kitchen, where the cook was preparing breakfast for the casino and brothel employees, she crossed paths with Louis in the hallway. His gaze, cold and intense as always, rested on her.
"Anna, come with me," he ordered, without hesitation. He immediately turned and walked toward the building's exit, expecting her to follow. There was no question in his voice, just an unquestionable authority.
She followed him without a word, her heart beating faster with every step. They left the brothel and he led her to a small black car waiting in front of the gate. Once inside, Louis started the engine, and the vehicle took a winding road through the countryside. No words were exchanged for a long while.
After several kilometers, they arrived at an isolated estate, a place Anna had never seen before. The mansion before them looked old, almost majestic, hidden behind large trees. Louis parked the car in front of the entrance, and they got out together.
"Follow me," Louis said, without looking back, as he walked toward the mansion's entrance.
Inside, the house was even more imposing than she had imagined, with large rooms decorated with antique furniture and framed portraits on the walls. Anna suddenly felt insignificant in this grand setting. But it wasn't the place that intrigued her; it was the reason why Louis had brought her here. Why this mansion? Why had he taken her to this secret place, far from everything?
Louis led her into a spacious room where a large oak table was covered with papers, maps, and files. He sat in a leather armchair, and despite her nervousness, Anna sat across from him.
"This mansion is part of my inheritance," Louis explained, fixing her with his gaze. "This is where I keep the most important documents, the information that many are unaware of. And it's time you understood why I've protected you."
Anna didn't respond immediately, but her heart raced. Why did all of this seem so heavy, so important? She knew she was about to learn something that would change her perception of everything around her.
Louis took a file from the papers spread out on the table and placed it in front of her. "This document contains information about you. It concerns your mother as well, and what she wanted for you."
She took the file with trembling hands, her heart pounding. She slowly opened it. Inside were copies of letters and handwritten notes. Some were signed by her mother. She quickly read through them, trying to make sense of them.
"Your mother owed me a debt," Louis began, breaking the silence. "She made a promise to me, Anna. And she knew this promise would bind you to me in a way you cannot yet understand. But this promise has a price."
Anna looked up at him, shocked. "A debt? My mother..."
Louis cut her off before she could finish. "Yes, your mother owed me something. She made a choice. And you are the result of that choice. You must now bear this burden. That's why I kept you close. You have a role to play, a role you don't understand yet. But little by little, everything will become clearer."
She stood up abruptly, the file falling onto the table with a loud thud. "But what is this role? Why involve me in all this?"
Louis also stood, his gaze hard and impassive. "Because you're more than just a victim, Anna. You have potential. You're the one who can decide the direction your life will take. But you'll have to make choices. Choose to stay in the shadows, or choose to take your place in this world."
Anna trembled with rage, her hands clenched into fists. "What kind of world is this? Everything I've lived so far has been imposed on me. You've trapped me, you've used me as a pawn!"
Louis fixed her with a silent gaze before slowly approaching her. "And do you really think you have a choice, Anna? Most people are like chess pieces in this world. But you, you're different. You have a chance not to be just a mere pawn. That's what your mother wanted. And that's what I want too. But you have to prove you're ready."
A heavy silence fell in the room. Anna could feel her heart racing. Her emotions were a mixture of fear, anger, and a strange sense of confusion. She knew she was standing at a crossroads in her life, but the options ahead of her were terrifying.
Louis waited for her reaction, his gaze tracking every movement she made. Anna was beginning to understand that the decisions she would make in the coming days would define her forever. And all of this had started long before she could comprehend anything.
She turned toward the window, gazing at the landscape, the gray sky seeming to reflect her state of mind. An uncertain future stretched before her. And deep down, she knew it was already too late to turn back. The choice she would make now would bind her to this world in an irreversible way.
Louis approached her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. "Do you want to know what awaits you? The future is in your hands. But remember, Anna, there is no turning back."