The shadow of passion

fresh in her mind. She got up, looking at herself in the mirror, trying to regain her balance. Nathan's words re

could organize a family weekend to celebrate Nathan's return. What do you think?"

athan feeling both exciting and anxiety-inducing. "A family

lace we usually go to. I'm sure he w

I guess that could be nice," she finally repli

o Thomas, while Nathan took the back seat. The atmosphere was light, but Léa couldn't shake of

homas asked, turning towards her. "We tried canoeing,

"Oh yes, I remember it very well! Y

back seat. "I'm sure you took a v

e felt his intense gaze on her, sending a shiver down her

arkling water stretching as far as the eye could see. The sounds of nature mingled with the laughter of children and

her family, but Nathan kept getting closer to her, always seeking to engage her in conversa

e?" he asked one day with a mischievous smil

for now," she replied with a laugh, tryin

schief. "You know, life is too short not to try. Imagine

"Yes, but I'd prefer to avoid ending up soaked and having to wear wet clot

e guests. Léa was sitting on a blanket, surrounded by her family, but her attention was

pfires are the ideal place to share secrets,

nd of secrets do you plan to share?" she asked, pre

ar, or perhaps I should tell you about my wildest

what?" she pressed, c

unexplored mountains. Freedom, that's what attracts me," he confided, his eyes

yone has the chance to live like that. Sometimes you have t

oming more serious. "I'm not saying they're not important, but sometimes yo

okes, their hands accidentally brushed while each grabbed a marshmallow. A thrill of electricity co

my marshmallow," he joked, but there

ble tension between them, something unexpressed drawin

ost in her thoughts, unable to shake off the hold Nathan had on her. Each exchanged glan

collapsed onto the bed, her heart heavy with thoughts. What was this attraction drawing

had brushed, as if the universe was trying to tell them some

f coffee in front of her. Thomas had already left to help his father with the preparations for

f adventures?" he asked, a m

hoice, do I?" she replied, feign

rom all constraints and follow me into the unknown,"

n't know if I'm ready for that, Nat

e, but it often means boredom. I don't want you to

the power to shake her certainties. She forced herself to smile, but in

lt increasingly drawn to Nathan, but she also knew she had to restrain herself. Every

uggested a little hike. "Come on, I know a trail that

curiosity won out

majestic, and the fresh air enveloped them. Nathan walked at a relaxed pace whil

ect on the mind," Nathan said, looking around.

bubble of tension between them. "Sometimes I wonder if I should spend more t

e on his lips. "So why not do it? Why not take a vaca

yes. "It's easier said than done. I

do YOU really want?" he

aze. "I... I don't know. I want t

t of your comfort zone. Taking risks. I pr

desire for adventure and her commitment to Thomas. She knew she would ha

of the lake was breathtaking, and Léa felt awed by the beauty of the landscap

d, pointing to the lake. "

her gaze was fixed on him, on how he

know, I believe life is meant to be lived to the

er. She knew this moment was crucial, that something was

ut it," she finally re

sture, every word exchanged was loaded with a silent promise. Léa wondered how long

ed their faces. Léa felt increasingly drawn to Nathan, but guilt chased her. She knew

re," he said, his tone serious. "I feel l

unable to respond. "I...

want you to feel obligated to do anything, but I think you

roubled. "It's jus

breaking. "I understand, but I don't want you to regret not

at she felt. As she retreated to her room that night, her heart raced. Nathan had en

g her to Nathan? Why was she so attracted to him when she had a stable life with Thomas? T

fety she knew or the unknown that called to her with an irresistible fo