It was a quiet afternoon in the mansion. Sophie sat by the window in her room, gazing at the sprawling garden below. The events of the past few weeks weighed heavily on her, leaving her in a constant state of confusion and unease.
Margaux and Mrs. Madeline entered the room, their faces grim and serious. Sophie looked up, sensing something was amiss.
"Margaux? Mrs. Madeline? Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Margaux hesitated, glancing at Mrs. Madeline for support. The older woman nodded, urging her to speak.
"Sophie," Margaux began cautiously, sitting beside her. "There's something we need to tell you. Something important about Lucien."
Sophie's heart sank. "What is it?"
Mrs. Madeline took a deep breath. "Lucien has been keeping a secret, one that we've both known for some time but couldn't find the courage to tell you."
Sophie's brow furrowed. "What secret? Please, just tell me."
Margaux reached out and held Sophie's hand. "For Lucien's own reasons. He… he plans to marry you, Sophie….h-h he plans to marry you as Amelie but not who you are….he is only doing this for Amelie."
Sophie's eyes widened in shock. "What are you saying?"
Mrs. Madeline continued, her voice steady but filled with regret. "Lucien's engagement to Celine is just a formality. He has no intention of following through with it. His real plan is to marry you—but not because he cares for you or he is in love with you but he wants revenge, Sophie. Revenge for Amelie."
Sophie recoiled, her hands trembling. "Revenge? What do you mean? How does marrying me bring him revenge?"
Margaux bit her lip, clearly distressed. "Lucien blames everyone connected to Amelie's death. He believes making you live her life, making you relive her memories, and eventually binding you to him, is a way to keep her spirit alive while punishing the world that failed her."
Sophie felt as though the ground beneath her had disappeared. "No… no, that can't be true.Why will he marry me for Amelie's sake.I have my own plans , dreams and life and I don't want to involve with Amelie's issues"
Mrs. Madeline placed a hand on her shoulder. "Lucien is a complicated man, Sophie. He's torn between his grief for Amelie and his growing feelings for you. But his obsession with revenge clouds his judgment."
Tears welled up in Sophie's eyes as the weight of their words sank in. "So, everything—the mansion, the restrictions, the warnings—it's all because of Amelie?"
Margaux nodded sadly. "I'm sorry, Sophie. I thought he might change, that he might see you for who you are, not as a shadow of someone else. But now… I'm not so sure.He is planning to move Celine to Canada to marry you as Amelie and take revenge for Amelie's sake. "
Sophie stood abruptly, her mind racing. "I can't stay here. I can't be part of this madness anymore."She insisted to leave than acting as a shadow of Someone else but she knew escaping was another problem.
Mrs. Madeline sighed. "Leaving isn't easy, Sophie. Lucien has made sure of that. But you deserve to live your life, free from his grief and his plans for revenge."
Sophie clenched her fists, her tears now replaced with determination. "If he thinks I'll let him control my life forever, he's wrong. I'll find a way out of this, no matter what it takes."
Margaux hugged her tightly. "We'll help you, Sophie. You're not alone in this."
As the sun set over the mansion, Sophie stood by the window once more, her heart heavy but resolute. Lucien's shadow loomed over her life, but she vowed that it would not define her future.