She Lost Her Name, She Took Back Her Place novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: The Door

Élise's POV

I knew the plan by heart because I had used it before.

It took one conversation, in one room, with one father who loved his bank more than he loved being right.

I only had to sit across from Henri and say it kindly.

The old banker is dangerous, Papa. He wants a young woman at his table. You owe him more than the bank can pay this year.

And you have a daughter who is already fond of him.

Last time, I had not even needed to say Bianca's name. Henri had said it himself, after a long silence, and had never forgiven himself for it.

I climbed the stairs of the townhouse on rue de Varenne with my phone in my hand and my draft of the message already written.

Henri was in his study. The lamp was lit under the door.

I had my fingers on the brass handle when a hand closed over the door above mine and held it shut.

"No," said Adrien.

I had not heard him on the stairs.

He stood behind me, close enough that I could feel him all along my back, and he was not touching me.

It was rule one. In private, never.

"Let go of the door," I said.

"Not until you listen."

"Adrien. I have two minutes before Papa goes in to dinner."

"Then I'll use them."

He turned me around and set his hands on the door on either side of my head.

I stood between his arms, and his dark eyes were all I could see.

"I saw you typing in the boardroom," he said. "I know what is in your phone."

"You can't know."

"I can. I have watched you write that message once before." His jaw tightened. "On the night before Bianca's engagement to the old man was announced. You sat at my kitchen table and wrote it, and you asked me to read it over for tone."

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