No scandals.
Shared assets in the United States and France.
Children expected within three years.
Everything written like a business merger instead of a life.
I watched Yuna stay perfectly still, as if she moved, she’d shatter.
Nico leaned toward me. “Could be worse.”
I ignored him.
Eventually, the papers slid toward us.
Marcel’s eyes found mine.
“Le temps des garçons est fini.”The time of boys is over.
“Je sais.”
I picked up the pen.
Stopped.
“I’m not signing until we address the elephant in the room.”
The room froze.
Marcel slammed his hand down. “Ares.”
“Listen.” I sat forward, voice calm. Controlled. “You want me to front this union, then we do it right. It’s no secret she isn’t well. So… she stays with me. Here. She gets clean and real help. No forcing her into this before she’s ready.”
Eyes snapped toward Yuna.
Yuna stood suddenly. “I’m not staying here.”
“Yuna, sit down,” her mother snapped.
I stood too.
“Nah. Let her talk. She’s not a prop.”
I stepped closer, slower this time.
She didn’t move away.
I lifted her veil gently and took off her glasses.
Surprised, she let me.
“Ça va?” I asked.Are you okay?
She laughed under her breath. Bitter.
“No,” she answered. “Je ne vais pas bien.”I’m not okay.
“I don’t want this,” she whispered.
