chapter 2

The taxi stopped in front of my apartment building.

I remained still for a few seconds, clutching my bag tightly against my chest. Through the window, the city lights continued to shine, but my eyes passed over them without really seeing anything.

The driver turned toward me.

“Miss… we’re here.”

I flinched slightly, as though I had just awakened from a long nightmare.

“Thank you…”

I paid the fare and stepped out of the taxi.

The cool night air brushed against my face, but it did nothing to ease the pain crushing my chest.

I opened the door to my apartment.

The moment I stepped inside, I let my bag fall in the entryway.

My legs could no longer support me.

I slowly slid down the wall until I was sitting on the floor.

And that was when I finally broke down.

The sobs I had held back all night finally burst free.

I cried without holding anything back.

I cried for the three years of love I had just lost.

I cried for the man I had given my heart to.

And I cried for the woman I had considered my best friend.

I no longer knew which of the two had hurt me more.

The silence of the apartment was suddenly broken by the vibration of my phone.

I looked at the screen.

Emma Collins.

I didn't have the strength to answer.

The phone stopped ringing.

But a few seconds later, it started again.

Once.

Then again.

On the fourth call, I finally answered with a trembling hand.

“Marie? Where are you?” Emma asked, her voice filled with concern.

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

“Marie… answer me. What happened?”

At that moment, all the walls I had tried so hard to keep up came crashing down.

I burst into tears.

Emma remained silent for a few seconds.

All I could hear was her breathing on the other end of the phone.

Then she spoke in a firm voice filled with infinite tenderness.

“Don't move. I'm coming.”

She hung up without waiting for my response.

---

Less than half an hour later, someone knocked on the door.

I didn't even have time to get up before Emma was already entering the apartment.

The moment she saw me sitting against the wall, my eyes red and my face covered in tears, her expression completely changed.

She immediately understood that something serious had happened.

Without asking any more questions, she knelt in front of me.

“Is it Julien?”

I slowly nodded.

My throat was so tight that I could barely speak.

“He… he was cheating on me…”

Emma froze.

“What?”

I lowered my eyes.

“With Vanessa…”

Her eyes widened.

“Vanessa Moore?”

I answered with a slight nod.

Emma covered her mouth with her hand, completely shocked.

“That girl… I can't believe she could do something like this to you.”

I didn't respond.

I had no strength left.

She gently pulled me into her arms.

I didn't resist.

Her embrace brought me a little comfort.

For several minutes, she remained silent, letting me cry on her shoulder without trying to stop me.

When my sobs finally began to subside, she stood up, went into the kitchen, and returned with a glass of water.

“Drink some.”

I took the glass with trembling hands and drank a few sips.

Emma sat down beside me.

“You're going to get through this, Marie.”

I gave her a sad smile.

“I feel like my entire life has just fallen apart.”

She gently shook her head.

“No.”

She placed her hand over mine and intertwined her fingers with mine.

“What has fallen apart is the lie you were living in. You're still here. And your life doesn't end with Julien.”

Her words managed to warm my heart a little.

For the first time since that horrible night, I was able to breathe a little more calmly.

Emma remained silent for a few moments before speaking again.

I could see that she was hesitating.

“Actually… I wanted to talk to you about something.”

I raised my head.

“What?”

“There’s a company looking for a personal assistant. It’s a very good position, with an excellent salary.”

I immediately shook my head.

“Emma… I can't even think straight right now. Let alone go to an interview.”

She interrupted me with an encouraging smile.

“You have nothing to lose.”

She opened her bag, took out an elegant business card, and placed it in my hand.

I lowered my eyes.

Terry Group.

I immediately felt my chest tighten.

I wanted to give the card back to her.

“No… that's impossible.”

Emma frowned.

“Why?”

I looked her in the eyes.

“I don't want anything to do with that family anymore.”

She let out a quiet sigh before answering calmly.

“Listen to me carefully. You can't let Julien keep controlling your future. This job isn't for him. It's an opportunity for you.”

I remained silent.

She was right.

If I turned down this offer simply because Julien carried that name, it would mean he still had power over my life.

And I refused to give him that victory.

I took a deep breath.

Then I looked at the card again.

This time, I put it away.

“When is the interview?”

Emma's face immediately lit up.

“Tomorrow morning. At nine.”

I abruptly raised my head.

“Tomorrow?”

She nodded with a small smile.

“Yes. And I know you can do it.”

I let out a long sigh.

Apparently, fate had no intention of giving me a break.

I had no idea what was waiting for me behind the doors of Terry Group.

I was still far from imagining that this simple decision would change my life forever.

Because the next day, I would meet a man who was both powerful and mysterious.

Clark Terry.