Mel felt Andrew's breath on her neck as he gently pulled her closer. His hands explored with both respect and desire, but she remembered what she had promised herself: everything was a role to play. A wife, a woman of power, a presence meant to seduce, not a heart to give… not yet.
— You're… stunning, murmured Andrew, his voice slightly hoarse.
— Thank you, replied Mel, controlling every emotion that threatened to betray her neutrality.
He drew her closer, and their lips met in a passionate, long, almost devouring kiss. Mel responded, but remained fully aware of each thought passing through her mind. She didn't want to lose herself; she only wanted to play her role perfectly.
Andrew's hands slid to her hips, then down gently, caressing her back and feeling the silk of her pajama brush against her skin. Mel felt a warmth rising within her, but it was not love… merely the adrenaline of a new and intimate situation.
— I want you, he whispered against her ear.
She nodded, forcing herself to show desire, but her eyes remained calculating, measuring every reaction. She knew that for Andrew, every gesture, every movement was a declaration of passion, but for her, it was a dance she had to learn to master.
They settled onto the bed, Andrew guiding Mel gently against him. His hands explored with curiosity but delicacy, as if he feared breaking something precious. Mel responded with studied gestures, perfectly timed sighs, playing the role of the enamored wife while internally maintaining her distance.
— I want you to know I'm yours, murmured Andrew.
— I know, replied Mel, her voice soft but firm. I'm here… for you, but I'm keeping my heart intact… for now.
The rest of the night unfolded between passion and restraint, Andrew entirely carried away by his sincere feelings, Mel balancing apparent desire with complete control over her emotions. She knew that every smile, every gesture, every sigh had to reinforce her role, and she executed it with almost cold precision.
By early morning, Andrew had fallen asleep, exhausted but happy, while Mel remained awake, observing the man beside her. Part of her wanted to give in to comfort, safety, perhaps even the affection that was slowly emerging, but another part stayed alert, aware that this marriage was still a strategy to escape her past and secure a stable future.
Mel quietly slipped out of bed and moved to the balcony. The morning air brushed against her skin, and she took a deep breath. The night had been intense, revealing, and… complicated. But she knew it was only the beginning of her new life. The real challenge now: living in this house, surrounded by wary and jealous people, while keeping her role perfectly intact.
Antoine, observing the scene from a distance, noticed Mel's silhouette on the balcony. His gaze softened, almost worried. He said nothing, but his heart burned with a protective, forbidden desire. Ethan, Maëllis, and Henry were still asleep, unaware of the storm of feelings and tensions preparing for the day ahead.
— Mel? he murmured, his voice betraying hesitation.
She flinched slightly but offered a polite smile.
— Antoine… I didn't hear you come.
— Sorry, I… I didn't expect to find you here, so early.
He stepped a little closer but kept his distance, respectful. Antoine's gaze was captivated by the way the light brushed her face and dress. He had never seen Mel like this, outside of classes, cafés, or the library. The woman before him was no longer the shy, brilliant classmate he knew; she was transformed, dazzling, almost untouchable.
— You're… very beautiful tonight… I mean… last night… I mean… now… he murmured, embarrassed by his own hesitation.
— Thank you, she said with an enigmatic smile. That's kind of you.
A silence settled, heavy with unspoken questions and suggestions. Antoine cleared his throat, unable to understand what he was seeing.
— How… how could this happen? he finally asked.
— What do you mean?
— You… and my father… you're married… I… I don't understand. We were at university together… I always thought… well, I don't know…
Mel remained silent for a moment, toying with the edge of her dress, revealing nothing of what had happened.
— Life is full of surprises, she replied softly but firmly. Some stories remain mysterious, even to those who know us best.
Antoine frowned, unable to hide his perplexity.
— But… why? I mean… why marry now? I thought… well, I don't know… it's strange.
— The reason doesn't really matter, Mel said with a light smile. What matters is that it's done, and now we must move forward.
He shook his head, shocked but unable to look away. She represented both mystery and seduction, familiarity and the unknown. He felt a tension he had never experienced with her at university, and it unsettled him deeply.
— I can't understand how no one saw this coming… he murmured, more to himself than to her.
— Some things happen in the shadows, Mel replied, her voice soft, almost a whisper. Some stories are only revealed when they must be.
Antoine watched her delicate hands brush the balcony railing, then drew closer, almost magnetically.
— You've never changed… always this calm, this way of mastering everything… even now, with… him.
— Everyone has their way of surviving and getting what they want, she said, her eyes shining in the city light. And you, Antoine… you've always been… intuitive.
He looked at her, a mixture of admiration and frustration crossing his face. His heart raced, but he knew this situation was complex, almost forbidden. Mel was no longer simply his friend or classmate; she was now his father's wife, a figure he had to observe with caution and respect.
— Are you sure you're okay? he finally asked, more gently.
— Yes, replied Mel. Of course. I just need to get used to this new life.
Antoine sighed, stepping back slightly. Desire, confusion, and incomprehension swirled in his mind. He knew he had to respect boundaries, but a part of him wanted to understand why this classmate he knew had made such a radical decision.
After one last look, Mel descended the stairs, her light steps echoing in the still-silent hall. Antoine followed with his eyes, unable to look away.
Downstairs, the house slowly awoke. Sunlight filtered through the large windows, illuminating the main hall, where a few staff members began preparing breakfast. Mel paused by the table, observing the perfectly arranged dishes and flowers—a symbol of order and the wealth of her new life.
Antoine approached, hesitant, searching for words.
— You know… he finally said, I don't understand… how could you… I mean… marry my father… no one expected it… I love my dad, but he's 52… how could you do something like that?
— I told you, Mel replied, placing a light hand on his arm, her voice firm but gentle. Some stories aren't meant to be explained. Some decisions are made because they're necessary.
Antoine lowered his eyes, unable to hide his frustration and astonishment.
— But… I… I never saw it coming. I thought I knew you… well, I thought I did.
— You knew me at university… but the world is bigger than our memories, she said, a slight smile on her lips. Time changes people, and circumstances do too.
He shook his head, thoughtful, and said nothing for a moment. The tension was palpable, but he sensed that Mel had chosen to keep certain things to herself. He respected that silence, even though he burned with the desire to understand.
— You know… she finally added, we'll all have to learn to live together, you, me… and the rest of the family. It won't be easy, but… I can count on you to be… honest and loyal, right?
— Yes… I'll do my best, Antoine replied, still troubled but aware of the gravity of the situation.
Mel nodded and, with one last smile, headed toward the bedroom to join Andrew, leaving Antoine behind, lost in thought. He still wondered how life had transformed his classmate into his father's wife, the woman who would now govern a part of his family.
The day began, and with it, the true challenges of this marriage: living together, navigating family tensions, and discovering, in their own ways, the secrets and desires of this new life. Antoine knew he would witness all of it, intrigued and fascinated by the mysterious and captivating Mel, unable to predict just how much she would disrupt his everyday life.
Mel stayed for a long moment, reflecting on the night past, aware that passion could be played, but that the true challenge would be to secure a place in this family… and perhaps, one day, in Andrew's heart.