pte

impact of his words. He was used to speaking like this, slowly, with this precision that knew how to be heard without ever raising his voice. It was

t's time to stabilize our family's position, Elisa. And for this, I

air that evening. She had never been invited to these discussions where the future of the empire was at stake, and even less so in the area of marriages. But t

ot a proposal, it was an order. He was talking about Mr. Vernay, a man that no one really knew beyond his polished image and his investments. A name that floated like an opaque mist. But it

his marriage is not a favor, it's an obligation. Vernay can o

but this time she didn't try to run away. She was fighting, in her head, to cope. She had to ans

oice that she knew was quieter than she woul

as if her question had no importance. "You owe it to yourself to feel w

d never felt such betrayal, as if her father had decided to play a game that didn't belong to him. His dreams, his hopes, hi

ad. Nor an object.

ge him, never. She had always respected him, but tonight was different. It was not a

me, as if he were weighing each syllable he was going to say.

the role of the shadow rather than the main actor. But there was a tension in his body, a tension that e

t to impose this

his father, defy him at other times, but never like thi

arkened. He looked at them one after t

the future of the family, Nathan

le. There was no more space for discussion, only opposing positions, irreconcilable ideas. Nathan didn't m

cessary for her? » Nathan asked, his voice crack

war. Against his father, against the family, against everything they were supposed to emb

nding in an icy voice: "She doesn't have to w

the door without saying another word. Élisa followed him with her gaze, unable to understand what had just happ

d. One last shot. And the atmosp

ything. She was the prisoner of a game that she had not chosen, but which seemed to be constantly being played around her.

tain. Nothing would e