Chapter 4: Le Mensonge
1325 Words
Aurélie's mind was reeling as she tried to process what Léon had just told her. He wasn't who she thought he was? His name wasn't even Léon?
She felt a wave of emotions wash over her - shock, confusion, and even a little bit of fear. Who was this man, really?
"Léon, what's going on?" Aurélie asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "Why did you lie to me?"
Léon took a deep breath, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm so sorry, Aurélie," he said. "I never meant to hurt you. I just... I had to protect myself."
Aurélie's eyes narrowed. "Protect yourself from what?" she asked.
Léon hesitated, and for a moment, Aurélie thought she saw a flash of fear in his eyes. But then, he seemed to steel himself, and his expression hardened.
"I'll tell you everything," he said. "But you have to promise me one thing."
"What's that?" Aurélie asked, her heart pounding in her chest.
"You have to promise me you'll listen to the whole truth," Léon said, his eyes burning with intensity. "And you have to promise me you'll try to understand."
Aurélie nodded, her mind racing with questions. What was Léon's secret? And what would happen when she found out?
Aurélie took a deep breath and promised Léon that she would listen to the whole truth and try to understand. Léon's eyes seemed to bore into hers, as if searching for any sign of deception.
"Merci, Aurélie," he said, his voice filled with relief. "I know this won't be easy to hear, but I have to tell you the truth."
Léon took a deep breath and began to speak, his words tumbling out in a rush. Aurélie listened, her mind reeling as she tried to process what she was hearing.
Léon told her that his real name was Matthieu, and that he was a former soldier who had been involved in some shady dealings. He had been forced to assume a new identity and go into hiding to protect himself from those who wanted to harm him.
Aurélie's eyes widened as she listened to Léon's story. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Who was this man, really?
As Léon finished speaking, Aurélie felt a mix of emotions. She was shocked, confused, and even a little scared. But she also felt a sense of compassion and understanding. Léon had been through a lot, and he was still trying to protect himself.
Aurélie took a deep breath and told Léon that she understood and that she was willing to help him. Léon's eyes filled with tears as he looked at her, and he took her hand in his.
"Merci, Aurélie," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "I was so afraid of losing you when I told you the truth."
Aurélie smiled and squeezed his hand. "You're not going to lose me, Léon," she said. "I care about you, and I want to help you."
Léon's face lit up with a smile, and he pulled Aurélie into his arms. They hugged each other tightly, holding on for a long moment.
As they pulled back, Aurélie saw that Léon's eyes were shining with happiness. She felt a sense of joy and relief wash over her, knowing that she had made the right decision.
But as they stood there, Aurélie couldn't shake the feeling that there was still more to Léon's story. She wondered what other secrets he might be hiding, and whether she was truly ready for what lay ahead.
Aurélie looked at Léon with a serious expression. "Léon, is there anything else you need to tell me?" she asked. "Anything else you've been hiding?"
Léon's eyes dropped, and he hesitated for a moment. Aurélie's heart sank, wondering what else he might reveal.
But then, Léon looked up at her, his eyes locked on hers. "There is one more thing," he said, his voice low and serious. "Something that could put you in danger."
Aurélie's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Léon took a deep breath. "I've been receiving threatening messages," he said. "From someone who knows my true identity."
Aurélie's eyes widened in shock. "Who is it?" she asked.
Léon's face darkened. "I don't know," he said. "But I think it might be someone from my past. Someone who wants revenge."
Aurélie felt a chill run down her spine. She had never been in a situation like this before, and she didn't know how to react
Aurélie took a deep breath and told Léon that she was willing to help him deal with the threats. Léon's eyes filled with gratitude, and he pulled her into a tight hug.
"Merci, Aurélie," he whispered. "I don't know what I would do without you."
Aurélie hugged him back, feeling a sense of determination. She was going to help Léon get through this, no matter what.
As they pulled back, Léon's expression turned serious. "We need to be careful," he said. "If whoever is sending these messages finds out that you're involved with me, they could target you too."
Aurélie's heart skipped a beat, but she nodded bravely. "I'm not afraid," she said. "I'll do whatever it takes to help you."
Léon smiled, his eyes shining with admiration. "You're amazing, Aurélie," he said. "I'm so lucky to have you."
As they stood there, Aurélie felt a sense of resolve. She was going to help Léon, no matter what dangers lay ahead.
But as they turned to leave, Aurélie noticed something that made her heart skip a beat. A piece of paper on the ground, with a message scrawled on it:
"You'll never be safe."
Aurélie picked up the piece of paper and showed it to Léon. His eyes scanned the message, and his expression darkened.
"Where did you find this?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
"It was on the ground," Aurélie replied. "What does it mean?"
Léon's eyes locked onto hers. "It means that whoever is sending these messages is getting closer," he said. "They're trying to scare us."
Aurélie felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't like being scared, and she didn't like being threatened.
"What are we going to do?" she asked Léon.
Léon's face set in a determined expression. "We're going to find out who's doing this and put a stop to it," he said. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Aurélie."
Aurélie felt a surge of gratitude towards Léon. She knew he would do everything in his power to protect her.
As they stood there, trying to come up with a plan, Aurélie's phone rang. She hesitated for a moment before answering it.
"Hello?" she said.
There was a pause on the other end of the line. Then, a low, menacing voice spoke.
"Aurélie, you're playing with fire," the voice said. "Back off now, or you'll get burned."
Aurélie's heart skipped a beat. Who was this? And what did they want?
Aurélie tried to keep her voice steady as she spoke to the person on the phone. "Who is this?" she asked. "What do you want?"
The voice on the other end of the line laughed, a low, menacing sound. "You know exactly what I want," the voice said. "I want you to stay away from Léon. He's not who you think he is."
Aurélie's heart skipped a beat. Who was this person, and how did they know about Léon?
"What do you mean?" Aurélie asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.
The voice on the phone sneered. "You really don't know, do you?" it said. "Léon is in witness protection. He's hiding from some very bad people."
Aurélie's eyes widened in shock. Witness protection? What did that even mean?
Suddenly, Léon's behavior made sense. The secrecy, the evasiveness... it all added up.
But Aurélie couldn't believe that Léon would put her in danger like this. He had to know that she would be a target too.
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