Paris Woven With Dreams

lling her from a heavy sleep. Her eyelids fluttered

n her abdomen, a cruel

her hand and turned her head to see Olivier seate

weeks, his dark eyes shadowed with some

ce a stark contrast to the roar that ha

or almost two hours. I

throat dry as she pr

absence in her earlier hours at the hosp

hand like the man she'd mar

d, torn between

from crying. She pulled her hand back slightly, the motion ins

ry," he said, his voice breaking. "This... this is my fault. The ba

croissants, just the way you love them. I wanted t

eve me. I've been so distant

t work. I'm trying to fit in, to prove m

excuses the fact that I'

, but I swear I

in the air, hea

lilies stood in a simple vase, their scent ming

a flicker of the Olivier she'd

e memory of her loss too fresh, a

Ivorian bangle, the etched patterns a silent comfort, and swallowe

continued, his tone shifting to something lighter,

ver you're awake. Let's go h

the thought of returning to the Marais apartment

hospital gown crinkli

d," she admitted, h

I want to go h

need space to balance everything

fear wit

disgusts you. I can't

ed, a flicker of pan

her hands in his, his grip fir

he begged, his voice t

t say

ed space,

ster, I know, b

off work, whatever it takes. Y

e, come home with me. L

tween the man she'd once love

part of her that still longed for the fairy

pered, tears slipping down her cheeks, her v

past had crumbled under his ang

s closing in as she grappled with her fe

ust... please, Olivier, d

f, and he kissed her hand, hi

is voice fervent. "I'll pro

er things, Ariane felt a wave of exhaust

ng to her, the cold tiles chilling her b

der of the pain she'd endured, her he

nce both comforting and unsettlin

ant you love-Le Petit Dakar-in the 4th arrondissement,"

p by on the way home to

o remind you of home, to ma

as she slipped into her shoes, the

er's embrace and her sister's laughter, wishi

in her heart whispered that this promise might be