Chapter 2

Marc got up at dawn, like every day, savoring the first light of morning which slipped through the curtains of his small apartment in Montmartre. He loved these moments of calm before the city woke up, this peaceful hour when everything seemed possible. He walked to the kitchen, turned on the coffee maker and made two cups of coffee. The comforting aroma soon filled the air, a familiar scent that marked the start of his day.

Julie was still asleep, her serene face resting on the pillow. Marc observed him for a moment, a tender smile on his lips. His presence in his life was a blessing, a constant source of happiness and stability. He placed a cup of coffee on the nightstand next to her, then got ready for his morning routine.

He put on his sports clothes and went out for his daily jog. The streets of Paris were still quiet, bathed in the golden light of dawn. Marc ran along the Seine, passing the city's iconic monuments, his mind wandering between the past and the present. Running helped him relieve stress, to feel alive and free, even if this freedom was fragile and conditioned by his constant need for vigilance.

After an hour of running, he returned home, short of breath but with a revitalized body. Julie was now awake, dressed in her silk bathrobe, sipping her coffee with a smile. "Hello, you," she said when she saw him enter. "Have a good run?"

"Yes, excellent," he replied as he headed towards the bathroom. "Nothing like a good start to the day."

After a quick shower, Marc joined Julie for breakfast. They shared fresh croissants and fruit, discussing their plans for the day. Marc had to go to the office, while Julie had planned to work on her art projects.

"I found a few galleries interested in my work," she announced, her eyes bright with excitement. "I can't wait to show you what I made."

"I'm sure it will be fantastic," Marc replied enthusiastically. "You are so talented."

Julie blushed slightly, touched by his words. "Thank you, Marc. It means a lot to me."

After breakfast, Marc got ready to leave. He quickly checked his laptop, making sure all his work files were in order. Working as an IT security consultant allowed him to maintain a low profile while remaining active and productive. It was a job that suited him perfectly, allowing him to use his skills while avoiding the spotlight.

He kissed Julie before leaving. "Have a nice day, honey. See you tonight."

"You too, Marc. Be careful," she replied, a slight quiver of worry in her voice.

Marc smiled to reassure her, then left the apartment. The streets were now bustling, the city bustling with activity. He blended into the crowd, one silhouette among many, but always aware of his surroundings, always vigilant.

At the office, Marc found his colleagues, greeting Paul with a nod. "Hi, Paul. How are you today?"

"Not bad, Marc. Ready for a new day of challenges?" Paul replied with a smile.

"Absolutely," Marc replied as he sat down at his desk.

The morning passed without incident, with Marc focusing on his tasks, analyzing security systems, detecting vulnerabilities and proposing solutions. He was good at it, his ability to think like a hacker giving him a valuable advantage. However, despite the reassuring routine, small details began to trouble him.

An anonymous message appeared in his inbox, a simple line of text: "We know who you are." Marc felt a rush of adrenaline, his heart racing. He immediately closed the message, trying to maintain his calm. Was it a bad joke? Or had his past really just caught up with him?

He tried to concentrate on his work, but his mind kept wandering. The rest of the day passed in a sort of fog, every sound, every movement around him amplified by his growing anxiety.

Back home that evening, Marc tried to hide his distress from Julie, but she immediately noticed something unusual. "Is everything okay, Marc? You seem worried."

Marc hesitated, searching for the words. "Just a stressful day at work. Nothing serious."

Julie looked at him intently, her blue eyes searching his. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

He nodded, squeezing her hand gently. "I know. Thanks, Julie. It's just... sometimes things come back to me."

She squeezed his hand back, a reassuring smile on her lips. "You don't have to carry this burden alone, Marc. I'm here for you."

They spent the evening together, but the words of the anonymous message played over and over in Marc's mind. He knew he had to stay vigilant, find out who was behind this threat. But for now, he had to protect Julie, keep her away from this dark past that threatened to resurface.

In the following days, Marc noticed other disturbing signs. Unanswered phone calls, familiar figures in the crowd, cars that seemed to follow him. Every detail put him on edge, accentuating his feeling of paranoia.

Julie, for her part, observed the subtle changes in Marc's behavior. He was more distracted, more on guard, and his smiles seemed forced. One evening, while they were sitting together on the couch, she decided to talk to him about it.

"Marc, I've noticed that you've been more tense lately. Is something bothering you?"

He sighed, knowing he couldn't keep hiding the truth from her. "Julie, there's something I need to talk to you about. I didn't want to worry you, but I think someone found out who I really am."

Julie's eyes widened in surprise and fear. "What do you mean? Have you received threats?"

"Yes, anonymous messages. And I feel like I'm being followed. I don't know who's behind it yet, but I have to be careful."

Julie nodded, her face serious. "Marc, I want you to know that I support you no matter what happens. We will face this together."

Marc felt a wave of relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Julie. It means a lot to me."

At night, while Julie slept beside him, Marc stayed awake, thinking about the best way to deal with this new threat. He knew he couldn't run away forever. He had to confront his past to protect his future.

The next day, Marc decided to take the lead. He began by increasing security measures around their apartment, installing additional cameras and alarms. He also spent more time monitoring computer networks, looking for clues to the identity of his pursuers.

Meanwhile, Julie did her best to support Marc while pursuing her own projects. But she couldn't help but worry about him, feeling the growing strain on their lives. One evening, as they ate dinner in silence, she took a deep breath and decided to ask the question that had been haunting her for days.

"Marc, why have you never told me your whole past? I understand it's difficult, but I want to know everything. Maybe I can help you."

Marc put down his fork, looking Julie in the eyes. He knew he had to be honest with her. "Julie, my past is full of dark and dangerous things. I've worked for people I regret knowing, and I've done things I'm not proud of. But if you really want to know, I will tell you everything."

Julie nodded, her gaze determined. "Yes, Marc. I want to know. We must be united to face what comes."

Marc took a deep breath and began to tell his story. He spoke about Victor Moreau, the mission that had changed his life, his escape and his new identity. Julie listened attentively, without interrupting, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion.

"I didn't want to put you in danger," he concluded. "That's why I didn't say anything. But now I realize we have to face this together."

Julie squeezed his hand, her eyes shining with determination. "We will, Marc. Together we are more

strong."

Their conversation strengthened their bond, but it also marked the beginning of a new phase in their lives. Marc knew he had to be ready to do anything to protect Julie and their future together. The shadows of his past wouldn't disappear easily, but with Julie by his side, he felt stronger and more determined than ever.

In the days that followed, Marc continued to strengthen their defenses while trying to discover the identity of those who threatened him. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, but he knew he could count on Julie. Together, they would face the challenges ahead, determined to preserve their love and their new-found tranquility.