Chapter 7: The Weight of Secrets

The conversation with Louis Bernard kept swirling in Anna's mind. The tension in the hallway, his cryptic words, and his unreadable gaze had left her shaken. She felt trapped, as if every movement she made was bringing her closer to an inevitable fate. But a part of her couldn't bring herself to accept the rules of the game Louis had set.

That evening, after her meeting with him, Anna couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned in her bed, her mind filled with unanswered questions. But one thing was certain: she couldn't stay passive, waiting for things to unfold. If Louis wanted to protect her, she needed to understand why.

Early the next morning, while the house was still silent, Anna went to the library, a place she usually avoided. It was where Louis kept his books, a vast collection he had accumulated over the years, and sometimes, in a corner, some documents he didn't share with anyone else. There were also newspapers, notes, and confidential papers. Perhaps through these objects, she could understand what lay behind his behavior.

She hadn't planned on being seen. But as she flipped through a file that seemed to contain financial information about the casino and other companies owned by Louis, the door to the library suddenly opened.

"Anna, what are you doing here?" a familiar voice asked, clear and cold.

She turned quickly and saw Claire, Louis's fiancée, standing in the doorway. She wore a simple yet elegant dress, and her gaze was both curious and slightly disapproving.

Anna hesitated for a moment before responding. "I… I was looking for information. I heard some documents were here."

Claire raised an eyebrow and slowly stepped into the room. "Information about what, exactly?"

Anna felt trapped. She didn't want to lie, but she knew telling the truth would only incriminate her further. "I… I wanted to understand why Louis is acting like this. Why he protected me. Why he put me in this situation."

Claire stayed silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. She approached Anna and then looked at the file she was holding.

"Do you really think you understand all of this?" she asked in a soft, almost too calm voice. "Louis is not a man you can simply understand. He is… more complex than that."

Anna frowned. "And you, Claire? Do you understand him?"

A faint smile touched Claire's lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm engaged to him, Anna. That means I know things others don't. But there are secrets he prefers to keep to himself."

Anna felt a strange pressure in her chest. "So, you know why he… chose me?" Her voice trembled slightly, but she held her ground.

Claire sat down on the sofa near the window, looking thoughtful. "I know a lot of things, but not everything. Louis is a man who handles things his way. Sometimes, his decisions are driven by reasons we can't understand. But one thing is certain: he keeps you close for a reason. And I believe it's to protect you. Or to prepare you."

Claire's words left Anna bewildered. "Prepare for what?"

Claire looked her straight in the eye. "You're not just here to serve the clients. You're a… a symbol in Louis's world. Maybe he's preparing you for something bigger."

Anna was still processing this revelation when the door to the library opened abruptly. Louis stood there, his gaze hard and piercing as he looked at Claire, then at Anna.

"Claire, I told you not to disturb Anna," he said, his voice low and authoritative.

Claire slowly stood up, not lowering her gaze. "I just wanted to make sure Anna understands there are things she can't know. Not yet, at least."

Louis assessed the situation, his eyes fixing on the file Anna had dropped on the table. "I don't need you to scare her, Claire," he replied with a hint of coldness. "Anna has questions. But she needs to understand that some answers won't be given to her. Not until she's ready to hear them."

Anna felt a shiver run down her spine. The tension was palpable. Louis Bernard was not a man who would tolerate losing control of the situation. He wanted her to stay in the shadows, far from the secrets he guarded so closely. But as the days passed, Anna knew she couldn't ignore these mysteries any longer. She had to uncover what lay behind his attitude, behind his role as a protector.

"Anna," Louis said, his tone calmer but still firmly authoritative. "I won't repeat myself. You're here for a reason. Stay in your place."

Anna lowered her eyes, feeling the weight of his words on her shoulders. But in her mind, one thought echoed: she wouldn't stay passive. She wouldn't accept her fate without a fight. She would discover what Louis was hiding, no matter the risks.

Claire watched them in silence before turning and leaving the room without a word, leaving Louis and Anna alone. Louis's gaze stayed fixed on her for a few moments before he turned away.

"I'll give you a chance to understand, Anna," he said, his voice lower. "But know this: there's no turning back. Once you know, you're involved. And there's no way out."

Anna stared at him, her heart pounding. She had taken a step forward. But now, the real challenge was beginning.