PARISIAN HEARTS

Chapter 27

Isabelle wandered the streets of Paris, her mind spinning. The vibrant city around her felt muted, as if the colors and sounds had dimmed in the wake of her heartbreak. She passed cafés and boutiques, but nothing seemed real. All she could think about was Adrien—his voice, his touch, the love they shared. Or what she thought they had shared.

Her steps eventually brought her to the Seine, its waters calm under the afternoon sky. She leaned against the railing, staring at the river as tears threatened to spill once again. How could she have been so blind? Adrien’s world was so far removed from hers, filled with wealth, power, and obligations she couldn’t even begin to understand. And now, all she could feel was the weight of the truth crashing down on her.

The engagement had been publicized. It wasn’t just about Sophie and Adrien’s families anymore—it was the entire city, the entire country. The kiss that Sophie had planted on him for the cameras had been plastered everywhere. Isabelle had seen it from multiple angles, over and over, like a nightmare she couldn’t escape.

She had tried to call Marie earlier, but her friend was busy with work and hadn’t picked up. Part of her was relieved. She wasn’t ready to tell Marie about what had happened—about how she had fallen in love with a man who wasn’t free.

As she stood by the river, she heard the faint chime of her phone. It was a message from Adrien.

Adrien: “Please, meet me. We need to talk.”

Isabelle’s hand trembled as she read the message. She couldn’t bring herself to respond, not yet. She needed space. She needed to clear her head.

Hours passed, and the sun began to dip lower in the sky. The twilight of Paris was beautiful, but Isabelle couldn’t appreciate it. Her heart was too heavy.

Finally, she turned away from the river and started walking again, this time with no destination in mind. Just walking to feel something, to keep from crumbling.

As she rounded a corner, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Marie.

“Hey, Isa,” Marie’s voice came through, full of warmth. “Sorry I missed your call earlier. What’s up?”

Isabelle hesitated for a moment before answering, “Can you meet me? I need to talk to someone.”

There was a pause on the other end. “Of course. Are you okay?”

Isabelle swallowed the lump in her throat. “Not really. I’ll explain when I see you.”

Marie didn’t press for details. “I’m on my way. Where are you?”

They agreed to meet at a small café nearby. When Isabelle arrived, Marie was already waiting for her at a table outside, concern etched across her face. As soon as she saw Isabelle, she stood up and wrapped her in a tight hug.

“Isa, what happened?” Marie asked gently as they sat down.

Isabelle took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “It’s Adrien,” she started, her voice shaky. “He’s engaged. I... I didn’t know.”

Marie’s eyes widened in shock. “What? But... how? I thought you two were—”

“I thought so too,” Isabelle interrupted, her voice cracking. “But he’s been hiding it from me. His family’s pressuring him, and now... it’s all over the papers. He’s engaged to some woman named Sophie, and they’ve been parading it in front of the media.”

Marie reached across the table and squeezed Isabelle’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Isa. I can’t believe he didn’t tell you.”

“I don’t even know what to think anymore,” Isabelle said, her voice barely a whisper. “I love him, but I feel so... betrayed. How could he keep something like that from me?”

Marie frowned, her expression serious. “Maybe he’s stuck in a situation he doesn’t know how to get out of. That doesn’t make it right, though.”

Isabelle shook her head, her eyes welling up again. “I don’t know if I can trust him. He said he’s going to end it, but how can I believe that? How do I know this isn’t just... part of his life? A life that I don’t belong in?”

“You deserve honesty, Isa,” Marie said firmly. “If he really loves you, he’ll have to show it with more than just words.”

Isabelle nodded slowly, though her heart still ached. “I just don’t know if I can go through with this anymore. I can’t compete with that world.”

“You don’t have to compete,” Marie reminded her softly. “You have to decide what’s best for you. If he’s the right one, he’ll find a way to make it work. But if not... you need to protect yourself.”

Isabelle wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “I just don’t know what to do.”

Marie squeezed her hand again, giving her a reassuring smile. “Whatever you decide, Isa, I’ll be here for you.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Isabelle’s heart felt torn in two—one part still yearning for the love she had with Adrien, and the other part desperate to shield herself from more pain.

As the evening deepened, Isabelle found herself at a crossroads. Adrien wanted to meet, to talk. But could she face him after everything?

When she finally parted ways with Marie, she walked back to her apartment, her thoughts heavy. Adrien’s message remained unread on her phone, but Isabelle knew that eventually, she would have to confront him. The question was whether her heart could handle whatever truth came next.