Of course.
Laurent had tried to take something with him before he fell. Maybe money, maybe information, maybe just revenge.
I took a deep breath. I didn’t feel angry. Only a calm sadness… and the certainty that I had to close this chapter properly.
— Block all access and enable the security protocol. And call our legal team, I ordered.
Thirty minutes later, the technicians confirmed that the sabotage attempt had been stopped in time. No losses. Only a digital trace leading directly to the user by Laurent Dubois.
The company was safe.
So do I.
At dawn I returned home. Our home. Or rather the one we once shared.
The lights were off. An open suitcase in the living room indicated that he had returned to retrieve some belongings. When I entered, he appeared in the corridor, defeated, his eyes red.
There was no more arrogance. Only fear.
“Eleonore… I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was… desperate.
I looked at him in silence.
“You didn’t lose your job tonight, Laurent,” I said calmly. You have lost the person who believed in you the most.
His voice broke.
“I love you…” I let myself be carried away.
I shook my head gently.
“No. You fell in love with the image of yourself that you thought was superior. And to feel big, you needed to make me small.
Silence fills the room.
I took my grandmother’s necklace, still in my bag, and held it for a moment.
“This necklace has survived wars, bankruptcies, and losses in my family. My grandmother used to say that the real value is not gold… but to know who you are when no one is looking.
I put it away.
“And I know who I am.”
He lowered his eyes.
“What will happen to me?”
I answered honestly:
“The same thing as anyone who falls: you can get up…” but you will have to do it alone.
I took my suitcase, ready for hours.
“The divorce will happen in a few days.” The house will remain for you until you can stabilize yourself. I don’t need anything from here.
He stood still, as if he finally understood that the end was real.
I walked towards the door, but before going out I added:
“Thank you, Laurent.”
He looked at me, surprised.
“Why?”
“Because today, I understood that I don’t have to hide to be loved.
And I closed the door.
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