The room was steeped in an uneasy silence after Mrs. Vivienne's heartfelt request. She had just expressed her desire to spend time with her "daughter" before Sophie's wedding, a wish filled with genuine love and longing. Sophie sat quietly, feeling the tension build in the air, while Genevieve, Eleanor, and Mrs. Marinda exchanged incredulous glances.
Lucien, standing by the large window, appeared deep in thought. The weight of the situation hung over him like a storm cloud. Finally, he turned to face everyone, his expression unreadable.
"That won't be possible," he said firmly, his voice calm but unyielding.
The words landed like a thunderclap. Mrs. Vivienne's face crumpled in shock. "What do you mean, Lucien?" she asked, her voice trembling. "She's my daughter. I've waited so long to have her back. Can't I have just a little time with her?"
Lucien's gaze flicked to Sophie for a brief moment before he replied. "The wedding preparations are demanding, and Sophie's presence is required at the estate."
"But she's my child," Mrs. Vivienne protested, tears brimming in her eyes. "How can you deny us this time together?"
Mr. Vivienne stepped forward, his voice filled with calm reasoning. "Lucien, we understand the importance of the wedding, but surely a few days won't hurt. Sophie belongs with her family."
Lucien's jaw tightened, his voice taking on an edge. "I respect your wishes, but I have my reasons. She will remain with me at the estate for now."
The Room Erupts
The room erupted into a flurry of shocked whispers. Genevieve turned to Eleanor, her voice barely contained. "What is he doing? Why would he refuse something so simple?"
Eleanor shook her head, frowning. "He's hiding something. There's no other explanation."
Even Mrs. Marinda, usually composed, looked flustered. "This will only make them more suspicious. Lucien is playing a dangerous game."
Sophie sat frozen, her mind racing. The weight of Lucien's words settled heavily on her. She didn't know whether to feel relieved or trapped.
Mrs. Vivienne's face hardened with resolve. "This isn't right, Lucien. I lost my daughter once—I won't let you take her away from me again."
Lucien's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "I understand your concerns, Mrs. Vivienne. I promise you'll have time with her, but it will be in two days' time. For now, Sophie must remain at the estate."
His compromise only slightly eased the tension. Mrs. Vivienne, though clearly upset, nodded reluctantly. "Two days," she repeated, her voice thick with emotion. "You'd better keep your word, Lucien."
Sophie's Confusion
As the car drove back to the estate, Sophie sat in the back seat, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and unease. She stared out the window, the countryside blurring into an endless stream of green and gold.
"Why did you do that?" she finally asked, her voice quiet but accusatory.
Lucien, seated beside her, didn't immediately respond. When he finally spoke, his tone was measured. "It's for your protection."
"Protection from what?" Sophie asked, turning to look at him. "They're Amelie's—" She hesitated, the word "parents as you said…you told me to consider them as my parents…I really love how they treat me…and what you were doing was really hurting them." catching in her throat. "They just wanted time with me. Why deny them that?"
Lucien's gaze was steady, but his expression betrayed nothing. "You'll understand in time."
Sophie frowned, her frustration mounting. "That's not an answer."
Lucien's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's the only one I can give you right now."
Genevieve and Eleanor, sitting in the front seat, exchanged suspicious glances. Genevieve's voice was sharp when she spoke. "You're hiding something, Lucien. We can all see it."
Lucien ignored her, his attention remaining on the passing scenery.
A Promise Kept
Back at the estate, Lucien gathered the household staff to ensure everything would be prepared for Sophie's eventual visit to the Vivienne home. Despite his earlier refusal, it was clear he intended to keep his word.
Mrs. Marinda cornered him in the study later that evening, her voice low and biting. "What game are you playing, Lucien? Refusing to let her stay with them—it's reckless."
Lucien met her gaze evenly. "I have my reasons."
"Care to share them?" Mrs. Marinda asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lucien didn't respond.
Mrs. Marinda sighed in exasperation. "You're going to push this too far, Lucien. Whatever you're hiding, it will come out eventually."
Lucien's expression remained impassive, but his silence spoke volumes.
Two Days Loom
The promise of the visit in two days hung over everyone like a storm cloud. Sophie spent those days in a state of restless anticipation, dreading the moment she would have to face Amelie's parents again.
Lucien, as enigmatic as ever, kept his distance, leaving Sophie to navigate her tangled emotions alone. Genevieve, however, was not as subtle. She watched Sophie like a hawk, her suspicions growing with every passing hour.
The days passed slowly, each moment stretching into an eternity. And as the appointed time drew nearer, the tension in the household became almost unbearable.
What would happen when Sophie returned to the Vivienne home? Would their unwavering belief in her identity remain unshaken? Or would the cracks in her facade finally begin to show?
The questions lingered, unanswered, as the countdown to the visit continued.