The hall quieted. The velvet curtains at the far end parted, and out walked Mr. Lucien Delacroix himself—the man everyone whispered about but few had the privilege to stand before. He walked in with the dignity of a monarch, his sharp gaze was scanning the people in the hall. Behind him trailed his children and grandchildren, their elegance showed a deliberate display of lineage and power.
My breath caught when my eyes landed Seraphine and Julien. They walked beside him with calm composure, like heirs who belonged to that world of chandeliers and silver wine. But… why? They had sworn to leave, to relocate, to vanish from this place. Yet here they were, standing in the full glow of Delacroix prestige.
The room stirred as one. Every person rose to their feet. Chairs slid back, glasses wer
