chapter 5

I remained still for a few seconds.

Julien was still there.

Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, he stared at me intensely. I knew that expression. He wasn't going to leave until he got the answers he was looking for.

Olivia discreetly followed my gaze.

“Is everything all right, Miss Rose?”

I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

“Yes… thank you.”

She hesitated for a moment before adding kindly,

“If you need anything, my office is at the end of the hallway.”

“Thank you very much.”

She nodded before walking away.

The moment she disappeared, Julien pushed himself away from the wall and walked toward me.

“Can you at least explain to me what’s going on?”

I took a deep breath.

“I have nothing to explain to you.”

He sighed, clearly irritated.

“That’s enough, Marie Rose.”

I looked him straight in the eyes.

“You’re the one who ended our relationship. You no longer have the right to ask me where I’m going or what I’m doing.”

His jaw tightened.

“I just want to understand why you’re here.”

A bitter smile appeared on my lips.

“Because I need a job. Does that really seem so strange to you?”

He shook his head.

“There are dozens of companies in this city. Why Terry Group?”

I answered without hesitation.

“I didn’t come here because of you.”

I paused briefly before adding,

“Besides, I didn’t even know you worked for this company.”

For a few seconds, he remained silent.

His eyes searched mine, as if he were trying to determine whether I was lying to him.

Then he asked,

“Did you know Clark was my uncle?”

I shook my head.

“I only found out today.”

He nervously ran a hand through his hair.

“Things are more complicated than you think.”

I let out a humorless laugh.

“No, Julien.”

I stared at him.

“What’s really complicated is discovering that your boyfriend has been cheating on you with your best friend.”

His shoulders dropped slightly.

For the first time since our breakup, he seemed genuinely uncomfortable.

“Marie…”

I immediately cut him off.

“Don’t call me that anymore.”

My voice was calm but firm.

He remained silent for a few seconds.

“I know I hurt you.”

I gave him a sad smile.

“You only realize that now?”

He took a step toward me.

“There are things you don’t know.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, really?”

“It’s not as simple as you think.”

I held his gaze.

“Then explain it to me.”

My voice trembled slightly despite my efforts to remain composed.

“Tell me what could possibly justify eight months of lies.”

Julien opened his mouth.

But no words came out.

He looked away.

His silence was already an answer.

I slowly lowered my head.

“That’s what I thought.”

I tried to walk past him.

But he gently grabbed my wrist.

My heart tightened despite myself.

Once, that simple touch had been enough to make me feel safe.

Now, it only made me uncomfortable.

I slowly pulled my hand away.

“Don’t touch me again.”

He lowered his eyes to his hand before whispering,

“I never wanted things to end this way.”

I looked at him without showing any emotion.

“And yet, that’s exactly what you chose.”

Silence fell between us again.

A few employees walked through the hallway, giving us quick glances before continuing on their way.

No one dared to stop.

Julien spoke again.

“You’re really going to work with my uncle?”

“Yes.”

His expression immediately hardened.

“That’s not a good idea.”

I frowned.

“Why?”

He hesitated for a few seconds.

“Because I know him.”

I answered calmly,

“I’ll get to know him too. He’s my boss, nothing more.”

He shook his head.

“You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me.”

He glanced around before lowering his voice.

“Clark Terry doesn’t trust anyone.”

I shrugged slightly.

“That’s not my problem.”

“Yes, it is.”

He stepped a little closer.

“You have no idea what kind of man he is.”

Before I could answer, the door to Clark’s office opened.

The sound immediately caught the employees’ attention.

The conversations stopped almost instantly.

Clark stepped out of his office accompanied by Daniel Brooks.

They were discussing a meeting.

As he passed us, Clark slowed slightly.

He looked first at Julien, then at me.

He immediately understood that something was wrong.

“Julien.”

My ex straightened at once.

“Yes, Uncle Clark?”

“The meeting starts in five minutes.”

“I’ll be there.”

Clark then turned his gaze toward me.

“Miss Rose.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Olivia is waiting for you to sign your contract.”

“I’ll go right away.”

He gave a slight nod before continuing down the hallway with Daniel.

I watched him for a few seconds.

He carried a natural air of authority.

Whenever he passed, everyone instinctively returned to work in almost complete silence.

Julien also watched his uncle walk away.

Then he turned back toward me.

This time, he spoke in a lower voice.

“This story is far from over.”

I held his gaze without looking away.

“I know.”

I paused briefly before adding,

“But from now on, you’re not the one making the decisions.”

Without giving him time to respond, I turned my back on him and headed toward Olivia’s office.

I could feel his eyes following me all the way down the hallway.

And deep in my heart, a strange feeling stayed with me.

I had gotten the job I desperately needed.

But I also had the unsettling feeling that I had just stepped into a story whose rules I didn’t know yet.