The awakening was slow.
Mel opened her eyes as the morning light gently filtered through the curtains. For a few seconds, she remained still, letting the memories of the previous night slowly fade. She couldn't deny it—she had enjoyed it. And, surprisingly, her guilt had disappeared.
Then a clear thought imposed itself on her: she needed to take control of herself again.
Andrew was still sleeping. She turned toward him and studied his peaceful face. This man was her husband. The one she had chosen—or accepted—and with whom she had to move forward.
She moved closer and placed her hand against his chest. Andrew stirred, opened his eyes, and smiled softly.
"You're already awake?" he murmured.
"Yes… I needed to feel you close to me."
He pulled her into his arms. They stayed that way for a long moment, on the bed, exchanging lingering kisses and tender, almost familiar gestures. Nothing excessive. Just a reassuring, conjugal intimacy… at least on the surface.
"You've been thinking a lot lately," Andrew remarked.
"Maybe because I don't like staying idle anymore," she replied calmly. "I need to move forward."
He nodded, without pressing further.
After getting ready, they went downstairs for breakfast. The house was slowly waking up. Conversations flowed easily. Mel joined in, even laughed, as if everything were fine.
But inside, she was waiting.
After a few minutes, Andrew stood up.
"Mel, come with me to the office, please."
"Can't it wait? Breakfast is about to be served," she said, glancing around the table.
"No. We need to talk now."
Eyes met. A subtle tension settled in the room. Mel stood without saying a word and followed him.
Once the office door was closed, silence filled the space.
Andrew sat behind his desk, clasped his hands, and looked at her intently.
"This morning, you said you wanted to change things," he began. "So tell me clearly—what do you want, Mel?"
She took a deep breath.
"I'm tired of staying at home. Tired of feeling useless. I have skills, Andrew. And I want to work. With you."
He looked surprised.
"You want to join the company?"
"Yes. Not as a wife placed there for appearances. As a capable woman. With real responsibilities."
He stared at her for a long moment, as if rediscovering her.
"You know it won't be easy. The looks. The judgments. Even my children might take it badly."
"I know. But I'm ready to face it."
A brief silence followed.
"And if I give you an important position… can you handle it? I won't go easy on you, even as my wife," he said.
"Trust me. I'll make sure I deserve it," she replied without hesitation.
Andrew smiled.
"Very well. Then I'll officially bring you into the company. But let me be clear—it will be strictly professional. No favoritism."
"That's exactly what I want."
He stood and extended his hand.
"Welcome to my world, Mel."
She shook his hand, fully aware that this choice would change everything.
They returned to the table a little later.
Breakfast had already begun.
Mel and Andrew sat down and started eating, but the children's curiosity quickly took over.
"What were you talking about?" Maëlys asked.
Andrew calmly set down his cup.
"Oh, nothing serious… just that Mel is joining the company as Ethan's deputy director."
"Wait—what?!" Ethan exclaimed. "Is this a joke?"
"No. I thought it would be best to put you together. She'll learn a lot from you."
"So my opinion doesn't matter?" Ethan snapped. "You make this decision without talking to me, and I'm the one who has to deal with it?"
"Because you're the most capable of helping your stepmother integrate," Andrew replied calmly. "And I see great potential in you."
"Seriously?" Henri muttered.
"I knew it," Maëlys said quietly, crossing her arms. "So in the end, she was here for the inheritance."
Mel felt anger burn in her chest, but she stayed silent.
"She has an important position," Andrew concluded. "And it's a decision I fully stand by."
The looks around the table changed. Some skeptical. Others wary.
Andrew stood up.
"I've said everything. We'll discuss the rest tonight. I have to go."
He turned to Mel.
"I'm heading to the office. We'll talk tonight."
She nodded.
He left the house.
After his departure, Maëlys stood up angrily.
"Gold digger."
Then she walked away, followed by Ethan and Henri.
Antoine headed toward the garden.
Mel couldn't stop watching him.
Without fully understanding why, she decided to go to him. She deliberately passed in front of him, changing her attitude—more confident, almost provocative. She loved the tension. The way his gaze lingered on her despite himself.
"Are you doing this on purpose?" Antoine asked in a low voice.
"Doing what on purpose?" she replied, feigning innocence.
A heavy silence settled between them.
"It feels like you want me to notice you," he said. "Congratulations—you succeeded."
"Maybe."
He looked away.
"Mel, if you knew how much I desire you, you'd probably run."
"That's for me to decide," she answered calmly.
He took a deep breath.
"I need to be away for a few hours. Have a good day… working at home."
"Where are you going?"
"To see my sister."
She left without looking back, leaving him staring after her.
At her sister's place, Julia welcomed her with open arms.
The conversation drifted lightly at first. Then Mel finally spoke.
"I want to ask you something."
"Go on, I'm listening."
"If a married woman slowly falls under the charm of her stepsons… what are the consequences?"
Julia's face went pale.
"Wait—what kind of nonsense is that? You're not serious, I hope?"
"I have a weakness… for both of my husband's sons. But especially for Antoine."
"Mel, this is serious!" her sister cried. "How can you say something like that?"
"I know. But I can't lie about my feelings."
"Little sister, you're married to their father. Think for a second."
"I know. I'm aware of it."
Julia was about to respond when the door suddenly opened.
The sound of heels echoed through the room.
Their mother had just arrived.
And in that exact moment, Mel knew the situation was about to spiral out of control.