Leonard stood frozen, staring blankly at the woman before him. She was Dorothea Chevalier, the wife of Frederic Chevalier and mother of Jacques Chevalier.Moments later, Dorothea collapsed into uncontrollable sobs, as though seeing her deceased son rise from his grave. Irenee rushed to support her trembling body, tears streaming down her own face as well. Both women were drowning in grief, mourning their family’s loss, and now standing before the cause of their despair. Despite the anguish surrounding him, Leonard's cold, indifferent expression remained unchanged.Neither Dorothea nor Irenee dared to meet Leonard's gaze. Consumed by sorrow, they ignored his presence altogether until Chateau eventually led Leonard away, returning him to his room.“Did you see her reaction?” Leonard asked in a low voice. “Aunt Dorothea looked at me like I was some monstrous abomination,” he added, his tone detached. Though his face betrayed no emotion, Chateau could sense the weight behind his words.“L
The third day after Leonard awoke, and the eighth since he was admitted to the hospital, marked the day he would return home.It wasn’t a decision recommended by the doctors, but Leonard insisted on leaving the hospital, citing that he had a personal physician. Of course, this wasn’t untrue. With Odette—an experienced professional—available to care for him, there was little Chateau could do to argue. Besides, Leonard’s recent medical results showed significant improvement, giving Chateau confidence in his decision to approve Leonard’s discharge.However, Leonard’s apartment had been empty for a few days, and Chateau had been preparing for his return since morning. She hadn’t visited Leonard earlier because she had been busy tidying up his space and, most importantly, shopping for supplies. Leonard, now in recovery, required a proper diet—healthy meals, plenty of fruit, and milk. Thankfully, Chateau had brought Noel along to help. With his assistance, she wouldn’t have to worry about c
Chateau paused for a moment, considering. “I believe Leonard mentioned it once, but I might have forgotten the name. I think I’ve met him before.”“You’ve met Monsieur Leonard’s enemy in person!?” Noel exclaimed, his eyes wide with astonishment.Chateau pressed her lips together, a touch of uncertainty in her expression. “Yes... at Monsieur Gabriel’s party last week. I encountered someone who didn’t seem to belong to the event. That was the day Leonard disappeared, and I suspect the person I met is the enemy you’re referring to. He had a bold gaze, even though he was disguised as one of the staff.” Chateau elaborated, describing her encounter with Leonard’s adversary.Noel nodded in understanding and fell silent for a moment before speaking again. “If you’ve forgotten, allow me to remind you, Lady Chateau. The man you encountered that night was likely Louis Chaloux.”“Ah, Louis Chaloux...”“He’s a very dangerous man, Lady,” Noel said, casting a brief yet serious glance at Chateau. “He
The unexpected and brief meeting left Château slightly unsettled. Amelia had not informed her that she would appear suddenly at Château’s current location. As a result, Château had no time to prepare a more appropriate welcome and ended up taking her mother to a nearby restaurant close to Leonard’s apartment, leaving behind her shopping. Despite the change of venue, their interaction was marked by silence.Château found herself at a loss for words, unsure even about asking how her mother was doing. It felt as though she were a wayward daughter being retrieved by her mother after running off with a stranger. Occasionally, Château glanced at Amelia’s face, only to find her mother gazing at her intently but without speaking. Suddenly, Amelia’s sharp eyes fell on Château’s bandaged hand resting on the table.Startled, Château hastily withdrew her hand in a feigned casual motion, though it was clear that Amelia noticed. In a clumsy attempt to shift the focus, Château asked tentatively, “Ho
Leonard shifted his attention as he heard the sound of his office door opening. He turned toward the source, finding Chateau entering with her radiant smile.As soon as she closed the door, her expression turned into a frown at the sight of her man, still a patient, standing tall before the large window, gazing at the cityscape from his luxurious hospital room. Leonard kept his eyes on Chateau as she stood by the door, pouting yet saying nothing.“What’s wrong?” Leonard asked calmly.Chateau walked toward him and embraced him tightly. “Why are you standing so firmly already?” she asked, her tone sweetly reproachful.“Am I not allowed to be healthy?” Leonard replied, his words laced with subtle sarcasm.“Why would you ask that...?” Chateau countered, concern evident in her voice. “I’m worried about you. You should rest more on the bed instead of getting so excited just because you’ve been allowed to go home. Don’t overexert yourself.”Leonard stroked the top of Chateau’s head and gentl
Château felt both relieved and pleased. Leonard had started to recover, and she hoped the same was true for his feelings. Château wished Leonard no longer harbored the profound pain caused by those closely tied to her. Above all, she hoped he didn’t blame her for all the sorrows that had befallen him.Yet, as Château gazed into Leonard’s stormy gray eyes, her thoughts wandered to events from several days ago. Something sensitive yet deeply important lingered in her mind—something she longed to uncover.“Leonard…” she called, her voice steady, her gaze locking onto his.“Yes?” Leonard replied, puzzled by the unspoken question hanging between them. Château hesitated, shaking her head as though she no longer wanted to address the words hovering on the tip of her tongue. Her hesitant demeanor only deepened Leonard’s confusion and curiosity. “Say it, Château,” he encouraged gently.She lifted her face to meet his, her expression marked by uncertainty. Leonard’s patience remained steadfast,
Of all the things Leonard concealed from Chateau, one was the sudden arrival of her mother, who had come to take her home. Leonard understood Amelia’s motives, far beyond her apparent anxiety—he knew precisely who had ignited the woman’s unease.“Did someone named Louis Chaloux meet with you?” Leonard asked. Amelia’s surprise betrayed her when the question landed. She chose not to answer, but Leonard didn’t need words. Her expression told him everything he needed to know.The day after being discharged from the hospital, Leonard refused to rest. A man like him couldn’t sit idly with so many matters unresolved. Though he told Chateau he was merely stepping out for fresh air, his true intent was a clandestine meeting with Amelia at a place far beyond Chateau’s reach.Amelia sat silently, her gaze averted, hesitant to meet Leonard’s piercing eyes. He didn’t press her to speak but waited patiently for her to utter a word.“So, my suspicions were correct?” Leonard said, his tone claiming v
Leonard was escorted to an opulent room that seemed prepared exclusively for him. Standing with his back turned, Louis Chaloux gazed out over the city through the expansive glass window.Hearing Leonard's approach, Louis turned, offering a wry smile."Leonard, we meet again," he greeted. Leonard remained silent, his gaze fixed."I can’t decide if you’re foolish or just unlucky to have been caught by Sophie so easily," Louis added, his tone dripping with mockery."Do you have something to say to me?" Leonard retorted, breaking the tension.Louis tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Nothing too difficult for me to grant—unless you pull another of your infamous stunts. You are insufferable as always."Leonard’s calm demeanor provoked a flicker of irritation in Louis, though he concealed it well. Instead, Louis gestured toward the seating area. "Have a seat. You seem eager for a confrontation."Leonard complied, taking a glass in hand, studying it as if it held significance. "You’ve arra
Chateau lost her shoes at some point during her journey here. She paused briefly to catch her breath, scanning her surroundings in hopes of spotting Leonard. If the gray-eyed man with brown hair was truly Leonard, why was this chase necessary? Why hadn’t he just come to her? Why had he made her run all the way to the village center just to find him among so many people?“Leonard...”Chateau searched the crowd, desperately trying to match each face with the image burned into her memory. Tall and lean, with brown hair and a confident stride—Leonard should stand out easily. Yet, she couldn’t find him. Was he even here? Had Shawn been mistaken? Was she foolish to hope?Her heart ached with the realization that hope did not guarantee reality. She had allowed herself to believe in finding Leonard, forgetting to consider other possibilities. In that moment, she was overcome by the betrayal of her own expectations.“What was I thinking?” she muttered, ashamed. “Why did I run all the way here?
Chateau had no idea how long she had been sitting under the shade of that large tree. She stared into the distance, her thoughts drifting as she recalled the events she had forgotten since that fateful night. However, the more she remembered, the more regret and frustration bubbled within her—anger at herself for nearly forgetting who Leonard Hugues was. The truth was undeniable: Leonard was the one person she could not imagine living without, even for a second."You fool… how could you do this to Leonard?" Chateau muttered, berating herself in despair. She wiped her tears away, but no matter how much she tried, Leonard did not appear before her.Leaning back against the tree, she wept again. "Where are you, Leonard? Won’t you come back?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why won’t you return? I’m not angry about your lies. Madam Aurora said Louis is dead, but why… why won’t you come back?"She bowed her head, hiding her tear-streaked face, which must have looked dreadful from all
[Eight Months Later]"Lady Lavigne! Lady...!"A young woman with golden blonde hair turned quickly as someone called her name. Her long, wavy hair danced with the gentle breeze of the fields, like a hanging cloth swaying gracefully."Good morning, Uncle. What is it?" the young woman asked, her radiant smile warming the air around her."Good news for you, Lady! Five of our sheep gave birth today!""Oh, really? How many lambs were born?""Seventeen lambs, Lady! And all of them are healthy!"Chateau Lavigne couldn't hide her joy as she received the wonderful news on this bright morning. The sheep on her farm had given birth to healthy lambs. She could already imagine the adorable, plump lambs she was eager to see."Will you go and see them now, Lady?"Chateau naturally nodded, her excitement palpable. She hurried from the tall sunflower fields, eager to meet her new lambs."We must ensure they get their vitamins and vaccines to keep them healthy, Uncle Shawn," Chateau said, letting the o
Louis paused, observing Leonard struggle to stand upright atop the rubble. Leonard's sharp gaze pierced through the tension, and then he smirked faintly. "Do you wish to see Sophie that badly? I'd be happy to escort you."Louis laughed bitterly, though his irritation was evident. Leonard's arrogance persisted, even as he appeared on the verge of death. Blood smeared half of Leonard's face, his once-white shirt tattered and stained with crimson. The numerous tears in his clothing revealed the extent of his injuries, and his mangled right hand clutched a broken pistol.Glancing at Louis' line of sight, Leonard acknowledged his own state, tossing aside the useless weapon. "Let's finish this," he declared, his voice steady despite his condition.Louis scoffed and extended his palm dismissively. "Finish what? You're barely standing. Why prolong your suffering? Just lay down and wait for your end. It's inevitable-""Are you scared?" Leonard interrupted calmly.The taunt struck a nerve. Loui
Leonard collapsed to the ground, but the relentless barrage of bullets forced him to crawl, enduring the searing pain, toward any form of cover he could find. He tugged at his numbed leg briefly, only to notice that Louis' bullet had carved a deep gash into his ankle."Damn it!" he muttered through gritted teeth, wincing as he tore a strip from his pants to staunch the bleeding. The journey ahead was far from over, and he couldn't afford to lose strength from such a wound.While Leonard was battered and bleeding, Louis stood unscathed, his posture calm and unyielding. If Louis had only wielded a single gun, Leonard might have had a chance to even the odds. Yet, Louis had swapped to another pistol the moment the first two ran out of ammunition, giving Leonard no opportunity to regroup.Leonard steadied his breathing as Louis began speaking."You know, this suit I'm wearing tonight-it was a gift from my lover. She gave it to me as a present. At first, I didn't like it and even considere
Leonard walked down the concrete stairs of an old, unfinished building. With weary steps and a somber expression, he kept his gaze fixed on the ground, paying careful attention to his footing until he reached his destination.Today was as he had promised-he would meet Louis, no matter where the man was. This wasn't a reunion to reminisce or rekindle; it was a meeting with a singular purpose: to kill each other.Naturally, Leonard's feelings were far from composed. He had asked Louis's biological mother for permission to kill her son. Wasn't that utterly tragic? What mother wouldn't feel torn when her child faced mortal danger, even if there was nothing she could do to stop it?"Oh, you're here, Leonard...?"Leonard's gaze shifted straight ahead, focusing on Louis, who stood with his back to him, casually smoking while leaning against a pillar in the open framework of the fourth floor. The wind blew fiercely at this height, and the night sky offered no clarity. Louis chose to smoke as
It had been more than a week since Chateau lay bedridden in the hospital, and during that time, Leonard never missed a single day of visiting her.After the accident, Chateau had suffered severe injuries. The blow to her head caused trauma that medical experts still couldn't fully diagnose, and several of her bones were fractured. They said it was astonishing she survived the critical phase at all. Considering the severity of her injuries, her survival felt like a miracle.Hearing this, Leonard could only be grateful and thank a God he had long stopped believing in. After so many years, he finally prayed again, even struggling to remember God's name. But this time, Leonard's prayers were answered: Chateau made it through the critical period. However, this didn’t mean her path ahead was smooth.Given the trauma to her cranial nerves, the medical team could only observe and wait for symptoms to manifest. In the meantime, they provided Chateau with the best intensive care possible, prepa
For Louis, his words asking Sophie to die for his sake were nothing more than a trivial joke in the midst of his drunkenness. But he didn’t know it would become a vow Sophie felt bound to fulfill.Louis could only stand with a weary gaze in front of the glass-doored room, watching as the medical staff gave up on trying to save the life of the woman lying motionless in their midst.Today, Sophie had acted recklessly. She threw herself in front of Chateau’s car, causing a crash that ended with the vehicle slamming violently into a tree. She knew Louis would have planned something like this. She knew he had it all arranged. But what Louis couldn’t understand was why Sophie had to take the place of someone he had already paid to make such a sacrifice.Louis remained silent, though inwardly he cursed Sophie’s foolishness. This was no lie. It was evident in the tightness of his clenched fists.Louis then entered the room without asking for permission. His gaze was icy, indicating that no on
Château returned to her mother’s place in a disheveled state. Perhaps it was from crying too much earlier, but nothing had changed except for her growing desire to leave. Her feelings remained the same—chaotic and disordered. Despite the harsh words she had directed at Leonard, they hadn’t managed to erase the affection she still held for him. Even now, at the moment she was truly leaving and might never return."Château…” Amelia greeted her with a warm embrace. Her anxiety only deepened upon seeing her daughter in such a distressed state.Château was no longer crying—perhaps she was too exhausted—but her hollow gaze suggested her body was merely an empty shell.“Are we leaving right away?” Château asked flatly, her voice devoid of any tone.Amelia looked at her with concern. She didn’t know what had transpired when Château met Leonard before their departure, but it must have been devastating to leave her daughter in this condition. Whatever the two had discussed, Amelia resolved to s