Chapter 1

France Lille

January 1986

Rosalie Corse sighed and looked at the positive pregnancy test on her shaky hands.

What should she do now? Pregnant at seventeen...

She took a deep breath as her hands sweated as she put the test in her pocket, then returned to the front desk of the convenience store where she worked.

The moment he returned behind the cashier, the door bell resonated with the entrance of a group of young people.

She swallowed when she saw Duncan Valois.

When his looks met he smiled immediately.

The other boys took their beers and paid.

Rosalie avoided Duncan’s gaze all the time, keeping her gaze low and pretending to be busy organizing shelves.

When he heard the bell again at the door he breathed relieved, however, the relief was short-lived.

" Why are you avoiding me, Rosalie?"

His deep voice made her knock down some cleaning items, before he reached them on the floor he bent down right next to her and handed her over.

Rosalie found herself hostage to her inquisitive green gaze.

Duncan was several inches taller than her, his broad shoulders and all-male face always stood out from the rest.

He was only eighteen, yet his green gaze had always been confident and impetuous.

You never saw him back down, and you knew he wouldn’t start now.

" I’m not avoiding it, I’ve just been working hard. " Lied.

When she tried to get past him, she was restrained by her big hands that held her by the arms.

Duncan pressed her lightly against the shelf of objects and forced her to look into his eyes, direct and relentless he pronounced:

" When you lie, look me in the eye, Rose."

She swallowed as she felt his hands on her skin, her body being pressed to hers, as her heart quickened more and more.

Duncan stared at her, his gaze steady.

" Release me, Duncan." Ordered him.

He did not let go, instead, slightly raised his hand and stroked his face.

Rosalie swallowed it hard.

" Tell me what ails you and I will stop. Just say, dear. " Your voice was tender.

She wanted to push him, and yell at him for being so kind when she was avoiding him for days, but she didn’t, just pulled the positive pregnancy test and showed him.

When Duncan saw the test he let her go, and stepped back a few steps.

His gaze first came out of his face and settled on his feet.

" How will it stop, Duncan Valois? " She challenged him.

When he just returned her silence, she turned her back to him and continued to arrange the shelves.

Suddenly he heard something he would never forget.

" Marry me, and I swear, even death won’t make me leave you."

Rosalie turned to him, and saw Duncan kneeling holding a ring.

[...]

Seventeen years later, you know.

Rosalie walked around the house and checked if the children were ready for dinner. After making sure it went to the laundry and put some sheets to wash.

Then he closed some windows in the living room and headed for the staircase to his bedroom.

When the woman entered the room the first thing she noticed was the icy wind of the night.

Rosalie looked at the open glass doors, as she approached to close them she realized that Duncan was leaning on the balcony’s railing.

She watched him for a few seconds.

His tight muscular back, broad shoulders and long, solid legs, he seemed oblivious to his presence.

" Duncan?"

She called him, but he did not turn around.

- I saw a shooting star, Rose. - Duncan told her after a few seconds, then slowly turned to her.

Rosalie sighed as she found her green gaze.

" We need to get ready for the reception in Picardie-Baux. " He remembered.

He nodded, his gaze on his lips.

She watched him standing, her back resting on the rail and now her arms crossed.

His biceps got bigger when he crossed his arms.

" Come here. " He called her.

She knew that was an order, yet she would not obey.

They were almost late and Duncan hadn’t even dressed.

When Rosalie turned her back, it took just a second for him to dip his hand into her hair...

Duncan somehow shortened the distance between them and sank his fingers into his hair, firmly turning it towards him.

They stared as she watched him come closer.

Rosalie plunged into her green eyes was a mysterious and deep sea.

Duncan pressed it against the side of the wall, she felt her fingers from the other hand graze her bare leg, causing her shivers.

God ... They didn’t have time for that ...

So why was his body letting himself be dominated by him?

" I made a wish ... " he whispered, against his lips.

Duncan raised his hand more, his fingers caressing his thigh and dangerously approaching his sex.

While the other hand was dipped in her hair, dominating her by the nape.

Keeping your eye on him.

Rosalie was dominated in every way, and she didn’t protest it.

She plunged into the love he offered her.

I wanted to drown in it.

" Which one? " he asked, aware of his hoarse voice.

Duncan smiled against his lips, his noses touching and other things.

" It’s a secret, my dear."

He kissed her on the lips and left her standing on the balcony, her legs trembling and her center lit for him.

[...]

Picardie-Baux

" She did not even disguise. " Grumbled Rosalie to her husband.

He took his gaze from the wine glass to stare at it, his eyes glowing gray.

Rosalie referred to the woman in blue who had passed near them, her gaze fixating on Duncan.

Duncan had certainly improved over time.

If that were even possible.

Rosalie observed the muscles of her defined abdomen, the strong and tanned arms...

As if it wasn’t enough her body looked like a Greek sculpture, it was no different when looking at her face.

The marked chin and a full, dark beard.

Well-cut hair, thick eyebrows.

He pretended to look sideways.

" I don’t see any other woman, except you. " I said finally.

Duncan was facing her, sitting in the luxurious chair.

She smiled at him, realizing how silly she was being.

" What did you ask Mr. Valois? " she asked with a smile, returning to the subject of the shooting star.

Duncan smiled from the side.

He shook the wine in his cup, then lifted his green gaze to his wife.

Duncan half-opened his lips, however, Rosalie never knew what he would say.

They heard it before they actually saw it.

A deafening sound.

Then everything collapsed in flames and the last thing Rosalie saw was Duncan throw himself protectively on her, hugging her...

His body heavy upon his, and blood. Much blood.

The woman screamed as she realized that she could not see anything, only feel the man above her with her arms around her.

" Don’t move, Rosalie..."

She heard Duncan’s voice, and blood came out of his mouth.

" Duncan!"

His cry was stifled and bitter.

He just held her tight against you.

The woman felt a severe headache and could not move.

She couldn’t scream anymore, and if she let herself plunge into darkness in Duncan’s arms...