The flickering glow of the fireplace cast long shadows across the walls of Lucien's private study. He sat in his armchair, his expression grim as he stared into the flames. Across from him, Madeline stood silently, her hands folded before her. She had been summoned late in the evening, and though Lucien hadn't explained why, she could sense the weight of his thoughts.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"Madeline," he began, his voice low but steady. "I've made a decision about Sophie."
The maid tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "What decision, monsieur?"
Lucien leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I'm going to marry her."
Madeline eyes widened, and she took an involuntary step back. "Marry her?"
"Yes," Lucien said firmly. "And it's not just about her resemblance to Amélie. It's about what that resemblance can do."
Madeline hesitated, unsure of where this conversation was heading. "I don't understand."
Lucien stood, pacing slowly in front of the fireplace. His hands were clasped behind his back, his posture tense. "My family killed Amélie," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "They didn't just sabotage her car—they poisoned her. The night she died, she told me she felt dizzy, unwell. I didn't think much of it at the time. But now, I know the truth."
Madeline gasped softly. "You're certain?"
Lucien stopped pacing and turned to face her. "She confided in me before she got into that car. She said the coffee my mother had given her tasted strange, bitter. She thought it was just overbrewed, but now I know it was laced with poison. She was too weak to drive, and they knew it."
Madeline face paled. "That's monstrous."
"It is," Lucien agreed. "And they got away with it because Amélie died before she could accuse them. But now…" He paused, his eyes narrowing. "Now, I have Sophie. She doesn't just look like Amélie—she embodies everything that terrifies them. If I marry her, they'll believe she's a threat. They'll fear that she knows the truth about what happened."
"But monsieur," Madeline interjected cautiously, "what about Sophie? She doesn't know anything about this, and she's terrified of you. Forcing her into this—"
Lucien held up a hand to silence her. "I'm not forcing her. Not yet. But I'll make her see reason. She'll have everything she could ever want—wealth, security, freedom from this mansion. All she has to do is play her part."
Madeline expression softened with concern. "And if she refuses?"
Lucien's jaw tightened. "Then I'll find another way. But Sophie is my best chance to turn the tables on my family. They think they've won, that they've silenced me. But this marriage will be my declaration of war."
Madeline hesitated before speaking again. "Monsieur, I understand your pain, your anger. But what about Celine..You are engaged to Celine. see it won't be that easy for you to marry Sophie.It will only bring confusion. you sure this is the path you want to take? Revenge can destroy even the best of intentions."
Lucien's gaze softened momentarily, but the fire of determination returned almost immediately. "They destroyed my happiness, Madeline. They took Amélie from me and tried to mold me into their puppet. I can't let that go unanswered."
Madeline nodded slowly, though her heart ached for both Lucien , Celine and Sophie. "I'll support you, monsieur. But I hope you tread carefully. Sophie is innocent in all of this."
Lucien turned back to the fire, his silhouette illuminated by the dancing flames. "Innocent or not, she's the key to making them pay. And I won't stop until they feel the same pain they inflicted on me."
Madeline left the room quietly, her mind swirling with the weight of Lucien's plan. In her heart, she prayed that Sophie's presence might somehow bring healing to the man who had been consumed by grief and vengeance. But as the flames crackled in the hearth, it was clear that Lucien's heart was set on retribution, no matter the cost.