Lucien's study was usually a sanctuary of silence, but tonight it was disrupted by a desperate voice echoing through the mansion.
"Lucien! Lucien!"
Startled, he rose from his chair and headed to the hall, his pulse quickening. The moment his eyes landed on Celine, his first instinct was to scan the room for Sophie. Panic fluttered through him; he was determined to keep the two women apart, knowing the chaos it could cause.
Margaux Dupont, sharp and observant, caught his silent cue. She nodded subtly and moved toward Sophie's room.
Sophie, half-asleep, stirred at the muffled sound of shouting. Her curiosity piqued, she was about to leave her room when Margaux stepped in, gently but firmly halting her.
"What's happening?" Sophie asked, rubbing her eyes.
Margaux hesitated before replying, "It's Lucien's fiancée, Celine. She's upset and came to confront him. Nothing you need to worry about."
Sophie tilted her head, trying to process this. "Fiancée? They must be close if she's this upset."
Meanwhile, in the hall, Celine's tear-streaked face was filled with frustration. "Lucien, I told you I wasn't feeling well! How could you not even visit me? Do I mean so little to you?"
Lucien sighed, visibly drained but trying to maintain his composure. "Celine, I've been busy with work—preparing for the business party."
Her voice cracked. "Is it really work, or are you still holding onto Amelie? Or worse... have you replaced me with someone else?"
Her accusations hung in the air, raw and piercing. Lucien exhaled deeply, suppressing his own frustrations.
"Celine, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to neglect you," he said, his tone carefully measured.
Her anger softened into sorrow, and she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. "Lucien, don't keep me waiting like this. Just tell me what you want, and I'll agree. I just want to hear your voice and feel like I matter to you," she whispered, her tears soaking into his shirt.
Upstairs, Sophie stood by her window, watching the scene unfold. Her fingers gripped the curtain tightly as she turned to Margaux. "They seem... really close," she murmured, her chest tightening inexplicably.
Margaux nodded knowingly. "They are, but Celine's relationship with Lucien is... complicated. You don't need to concern yourself with it."
Sophie looked back at the pair, a strange mix of emotions bubbling within her. As much as she told herself she didn't care, her restless heart whispered otherwise with it.