Léa, an ambitious architect, is in a relationship with Thomas, a stable and caring man, but a bit too predictable. As they prepare to get married, Nathan, Thomas's twin brother, returns to their lives after years spent abroad. Charismatic, unpredictable, and provocative, Nathan immediately fascinates Léa. An erotic tension grows between them, despite the prohibitions and potential consequences. Léa finds herself torn between her love for Thomas and her consuming passion for Nathan, plunging into a secret relationship that threatens to destroy everything. In a struggle between duty and desire, she must make a choice that will change her life forever.
Chapter 1 Léa's Daily Life
The sweet morning song blended with the first rays of sunlight filtering through the light curtains of Léa's apartment. She slowly emerged from her sleep, her eyelids still heavy with dreams. The bedroom, decorated in a minimalist style, reflected her taste for simplicity: white walls, a shelf filled with architecture books, and a green plant that, despite its lack of light, seemed to thrive. Beside her, Thomas, her fiancé, slept peacefully, his face relaxed in a halo of golden light.
Léa got up gently, trying not to wake him. As she made her way to the kitchen, a wave of melancholy washed over her. Every morning felt like the one before, a well-oiled routine that made her feel trapped in an endless loop. She put water on to heat for coffee, the sound of the kettle serving as background noise to chase away her thoughts.
When the aroma of coffee began to fill the space, Thomas emerged from the bedroom, rubbing his still-sleepy eyes. He gave her a smile, one of those smiles that once warmed her heart but now seemed almost mechanical. "Good morning, my beautiful," he murmured, moving closer to kiss her. Léa returned the kiss, but a shadow of sadness crossed her gaze.
They took their places at the table, where a simple breakfast awaited: toasted bread, fresh fruits, and, of course, steaming black coffee. Thomas immersed himself in his phone, checking his work emails, while Léa stared at the wall, lost in her thoughts.
"Is something on your mind?" Thomas asked, his eyes glued to the screen. His tone was distracted, as if his question was merely automatic.
"No, everything's fine," she replied, not really believing it. She forced a smile, but inside, a persistent voice whispered that she wasn't being honest.
The conversation flowed around the mundane details of daily life, but Léa couldn't help but feel more and more distant. She recalled the promises of their early days, those shared dreams of travel and adventure. Today, she felt imprisoned in a predictable routine, an existence marked by work hours and evenings spent in front of the television.
"You know, I have an important project at the office this week," Thomas announced, without looking up from his phone. "I need to finalize the file for the client." Léa nodded, but the words didn't resonate within her. Thomas's projects, though important, seemed entirely his, like a bubble in which she had no place.
After breakfast, Léa got ready for the day. She looked at herself in the mirror, observing the woman she saw: a gentle face, bright but tired eyes, dark circles she was trying to hide with makeup. She changed into a simple but elegant dress that gave her a professional look. She wondered if Thomas had noticed her, but thought better of it, realizing he was already immersed in his concerns.
As she left the apartment, she felt a chill of anxiety. The door closed behind her with a sound like a lock clicking shut. In the elevator, Léa scrutinized her reflection in the mirrors. She saw herself as a version of herself, a shadow of the vibrant woman she had once been. The journey to her architecture firm, located in the heart of the city, was a familiar route, but today, every red light felt interminable.
Upon arriving at the office, she was welcomed by the familiar scent of paper and ink. Architects and designers bustled around her, sketches and models scattered across the tables. Léa settled at her desk, adorned with a few photos from past travels, memories that made her nostalgic. She knew she had talent, that she was recognized for her keen eye for detail, but an inner voice whispered that she didn't belong here.
The clock was already striking ten when her colleague Emma approached her. Always full of energy, Emma had the knack for making any environment shine. "Hey, Léa! Everything okay? We've barely seen you lately."
Léa smiled, but the question troubled her. "Yes, everything's fine. Just a bit of work," she replied, her heart weighing down each word.
Emma, with her piercing gaze, didn't seem convinced. "You know, I heard you talking about Thomas the other day. Is everything okay between you two?"
Léa froze. She had avoided this question with Thomas, but now she couldn't run away. "It's just... the routine, I suppose. I sometimes feel... lost. Like something is missing, you know?"
Emma nodded, sympathetic. "I understand. Sometimes, you just need to take a moment for yourself, take a break. Why not plan a weekend getaway somewhere?"
The idea brushed past her, but Léa almost immediately rejected it. A weekend? With Thomas, or alone? The prospect of escaping the daily grind was appealing, but she knew it wouldn't change anything. Reality still gripped her by the shoulders, firmly anchoring her in her monotonous life.
"Maybe..." she murmured, without conviction.
The day passed in a blur of meetings and tasks. Léa focused on her projects, but her mind wandered incessantly. She imagined unknown landscapes, vibrant cities where she could lose herself, where she could feel that spark of life she so desperately missed. She dreamed of freedom, of a new breath that would sweep away the monotony of her existence.
When the end of the day arrived, Léa felt exhausted, but not from physical fatigue. It was an emotional exhaustion, a struggle against her own thoughts. She grabbed her bag and left the office, the city lights beginning to flicker around her. The sky was tinted with shades of pink and orange, but even this natural spectacle failed to ignite her enthusiasm.
The journey home was silent. She returned home, mentally preparing to face Thomas again, to dive back into their daily life. She secretly hoped he would take the time to reflect on their relationship, that he would notice her unease. But upon opening the door, she found the same scene as in the morning: Thomas, bent over his computer, absorbed in his work.
"Hey, I'm home," she announced, but her voice echoed in the void. Thomas barely looked up, a distracted smile on his lips, then returned to his screen.
Léa sighed, a heavy weight settling on her heart. She headed to the kitchen, preparing a simple dinner, but she struggled to focus. Thoughts swirled in her head: was this really the life she wanted? Was she destined to sink into this routine, to ignore her deep aspirations?
She sat down at the table, the meal ready, but she lacked the appetite. Thomas joined her, and they exchanged a few words, but the conversation remained superficial. Léa felt like a stranger in her own home. She wondered if she should speak up, express her frustrations, but a deep-seated fear held her back. What would he think? What would he do?
Deep down, Léa knew she had to wake up, that she could no longer ignore the void that filled her. She wanted to regain her passion, her joy for life, but for that, she would first have to confront her own demons.
The night unfolded slowly, Léa went to bed with a feeling of incompleteness, a promise to herself not to let the days pass without taking action. As she closed her eyes, she vowed that she would find a way to reconnect with her dreams, to escape this life that felt too predictable.
For the first time in a long time, a small spark of hope lit up her heart. Maybe tomorrow would be the day everything would change.
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