Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 11 - Chapitre 17

ElaraThe day passed faster than I expected.By late afternoon, the last few customers had left Elara Maison, and the staff had begun putting everything back in place. Nerissa checked the appointment book while Zariah straightened the clothing displays.I looked around the boutique one more time.It wasn't perfect yet, but it was mine.Something I had built with my own hands."All right, everyone," I said. "That's enough for today. You can go home.""Goodnight, ma," Nerissa said."Goodnight."Zariah picked up her handbag."See you tomorrow.""Tomorrow."I pulled out my phone and called a taxi.A few minutes later, the car pulled up outside.I got in and gave the driver my home address.As the boutique disappeared behind me, I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes.Tomorrow would be another busy dayI was exhausted.But it was the kind of exhaustion that came with satisfaction.I had spent the entire day doing something that belonged to me.By the time I reached home, the sky

Elara I looked toward the entrance.That's when I saw her.Victoria.For a moment, I wasn't sure whether my eyes were playing tricks on me.She walked through the door with confidence, her eyes moving around the boutique.She stopped beside the reception desk."Excuse me."Zariah looked up."Yes?""I'm looking for the owner."Before Zariah could answer, Victoria's eyes found mine.We both froze.Three years disappeared in a single second.I remembered family dinners.Christmas mornings.The way she used to tease me whenever Lucien and I argued over something ridiculous.Then I remembered how everything had changed.Victoria gave me a small, almost uncertain smile."Elara."My chest tightened."Victoria."I stood from my chair.She walked toward me.Neither of us knew what to say at first.Then she opened her arms.I stepped into them.Her embrace was warm and familiar, and for a moment, I allowed myself to forget why we had been apart.She held me a little tighter."It's been a long

CaspianLucien continued staring at me.For a few seconds, the only sound in the room was the quiet hum of the air conditioner.Then he gestured toward the chairs in front of his desk.“Have a seat.”I nodded.“Thank you.”Marcus and I sat down.Lucien returned to his chair, but his eyes never left me.“So,” he said slowly, “you're the man Elara is engaged to.”“Yes.”He leaned back.“I wasn't expecting you.”“I didn't come here to surprise you.”“Then why are you here?”I looked directly at him.“To talk about Elara.”His expression tightened.“What about her?”“You went to see her.”“Yes.”“Why?”Lucien was silent for a moment.“Because I wanted to.”I nodded slowly.“And that's exactly what I came here to discuss.”His eyebrow lifted.“You're telling me who I can visit now?”“No.”I kept my voice calm.“I'm telling you to respect her boundaries.”Lucien leaned forward.“Elara can speak for herself.”“She did.”“And what did she say?”“That she doesn't want you interfering in her li

Elara By nine the next morning, Elara Maison was already busy. The sound of hair dryers filled one side of the boutique while soft music played near the clothing displays. Nerissa was at the reception desk, answering calls and checking appointments. Zariah was arranging a row of dresses when someone nearly bumped into her. "Careful." She turned. Kael stood behind her holding two garment boxes. "You were standing in the middle of the walkway." Zariah looked at him. "I work here." "So do I." "You started yesterday." "And I've already learned where not to stand." She narrowed her eyes. "Are you always this annoying?" "Only around beautiful women." Zariah blinked. Kael smiled innocently. "Did that work?" She rolled her eyes. "No." "Shame." I watched them from the reception desk. "Kael." He turned. "Yes?" "Those boxes aren't going to put themselves away." "I was getting there." "You've been flirting for five minutes." Zariah laughed. "I told you." Kael looked