asty departure from the country house, but Julien's shadow, as elusive as it was, remained hanging above his head, like an invisible threat. She hadn't wanted to think about it. She didn

d she had no intention of look

ess, chilling to her bones. She was pregnant. The weight of those words fell on him like a hammer, crushing everything in his mind. How was this possible? She had thought everything was over between them. But t

pty, an emptiness she couldn't fill. Reality seemed to have collapsed around her. And she didn't

odi

ment, looked at her with a look of both concern and determination. Clara must have followed her after receiving her message.

ra asked, her tone a l

ound the words, hadn't yet figured out how to announce what seemed like a

to digest the information, then sighed d

about it. How had everything happened so quickly? What was supposed to be a fleeting moment, a simple flirtation, a brief e

stuck in her throat. " I don't know. I..." She closed her

him, Elodie. We have to tell Julien.

rything that had happened. Why involve him in this situation when he had disappeared from her life

. And you need answers. You need to know what he wants, what he expects. Y

everything that had happened, chilled her heart. But she also knew there was no escape.

to find answers. She intended to have a conversation, but she didn't know how she was going to start it.

f something mysterious was brewing, as if fate was playing with her, pushing her in a direction she hadn't chosen. As she wal

n't changed. He seemed as implacable as ever, as mysterious as ever, but there was something in his gaze that betrayed a

s voice rough but controlled

r anger prevented her from giving in. "Why did you disappear? Why all this? » she asked, a hint of bitterness in he

it was easy for me? To disappear? But there are things you don't

t before continuing. "I know what you want t

? A lump formed in her throat, but she resisted, not wanting to give in to the emotion. "So, talk to me," s

lk, but not here. Not like that. » He gently grabbed her wrist, and Elodie didn't

, Elodie felt her heart beat faster. The conversati