Lucien grabbed Sophie's wrist firmly and dragged her through the hallways, his pace quick and his grip unyielding. Sophie tried to wriggle free, but his strength overpowered her. Margaux, who had been enjoying herself on the dance floor, froze when she saw the scene unfold. Her joy vanished as she stopped mid-dance and hurried after them.
Celine, standing on the other side of the room, noticed Lucien's intensity as he pulled Sophie toward his private quarters. Her jealousy boiled over, and she immediately followed, her face a mask of fury. But before she could barge in, Margaux stepped in her way.
"Where do you think you're going?" Margaux asked, feigning nonchalance.
"Move aside, Margaux," Celine snapped, her eyes blazing.
"Lucien can handle this. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding," Margaux said, her voice steady.
Celine scowled and pointed a finger at her. "This is the last time I'm warning both you and your friend —stay away from Lucien. You think I can't see through your schemes? I don't know who she is or why she's here, but I won't tolerate anyone trying to come between us."
With that, Celine stormed off to the washroom, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she muttered angrily to herself.
In Lucien's Room
Lucien shut the door behind him and turned to Sophie, his eyes blazing with anger and disbelief. "Enough of these games, Sophie. I know it's you."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Sophie said, her voice trembling as she tried to move past him.
Lucien stepped forward, blocking her path. "Stop lying!" he roared. He cornered her, his towering frame pinning her in place. When her back hit the wall, she froze. Without hesitation, Lucien reached for her mask, pulling it off with one swift motion.
There she was. The truth was in her face, the delicate features he couldn't mistake for anyone else.
"I knew it," he said, his voice low but seething. "It was you."
Sophie avoided his gaze, her chest heaving with nervous breaths.
"Who helped you get into this party, dressed like this?" Lucien demanded. "You can't tell me you managed all of this alone."
"No one," Sophie said defiantly.
Lucien's anger boiled over. He grabbed her arms, his grip firm but not harsh. "I warned you to stay in your room! What if someone had recognized you? What if Celine saw your face?"
"Enough, Lucien!" Sophie's voice echoed through the room as she wrenched herself free from his hold. Her eyes brimmed with fury, her voice shaking but resolute. "I've had enough of this!"
Lucien stepped back, startled by her outburst.
"You think you can control me just because you bought me?" Sophie continued, her voice cracking with emotion. "You've turned my life into a prison. I can't step outside this mansion. I watch the days pass from behind a window like I'm some kind of caged animal. Do you have any idea what that feels like? To lose your freedom, your identity, everything that made you who you are?"
Lucien tried to interrupt, but Sophie raised her hand. "No! Let me finish. I've tried to make peace with this nightmare, to convince myself that maybe you're not the monster I thought you were. But you've proven me wrong every single time."
Her voice softened, but the bitterness remained. "Why did you buy me, Lucien? Was it to act as Amelie for your sick games? Or is it to keep me hidden while you parade around with your fiancée? At least prisoners know what their punishment is. What about me? What am I to you?"
Her words were like daggers, slicing through Lucien's defenses.
"I'll tell you this—whatever role you think I have in your life, I want no part of it. And do you think Amelie would be proud of you? Do you think she'd be happy to see the man she loved become this heartless tyrant?"
Sophie's voice cracked, tears brimming in her eyes. "I used to think you had some humanity left in you. But I was wrong. You're no better than the people who sold me to you."
She bent down, picked up her mask, and walked toward the door. Her steps were heavy, her voice low but cutting.
"You're not a man, Lucien. You're a coward hiding behind your power."
And with that, she left, slamming the door behind her.
Lucien stood in the silence, her words echoing in his mind, each one cutting deeper than the last. For the first time in years, he felt something he hadn't allowed himself to feel—regret.