Isabelle thought she had left her past behind when she moved to Paris until she found out she was pregnant. She decides to raise the child alone but an unexpected call brings her back to the USA. When her child falls sick with a genetic condition, she has to go to the father of her child for help. What happens when she discovers that the man she had a one-night-stand years ago is the husband of her best friend? How will she convince Alex to save her daughter?
Chapter 1 Morning in Paris
The morning sun filtered through the lace curtains of their quaint Parisian apartment, casting a warm glow over the cozy living room. Isabelle hummed softly as she prepared breakfast, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filling the air. Her daughter, Aria, a lively and curious five-year-old, bounded into the kitchen with a burst of energy.
"Bonjour, maman!" Aria chirped, her bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Bonjour, ma chƩrie," Isabelle replied, smiling as she set a plate of croissants on the table. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes! I had a dream that I was a princess in a magical castle," Aria said, climbing onto a chair. "And there was a dragon, but he was nice and helped me find a treasure!"
Isabelle laughed, her heart swelling with love for her daughter. "That sounds like a wonderful dream. Maybe you can draw a picture of it later."
Aria nodded enthusiastically, taking a bite of her croissant. "I will! And then we can hang it in the living room with all the other drawings."
"Of course, sweetheart," Isabelle said, ruffling Aria's hair affectionately. "Now, finish your breakfast. We need to get ready for the day."
After breakfast, Isabelle helped Aria get dressed for school. They walked hand-in-hand to the nearby school, enjoying the crisp morning air and the sounds of the bustling city. Isabelle cherished these moments with her daughter, knowing how precious their time together was.
At the school gate, Isabelle knelt down to give Aria a hug. "Have a wonderful day, ma chƩrie. Remember to listen to your teacher and be kind to your friends."
"I will, maman," she promised, hugging her tightly. "I love you."
"I love you too, Aria," Isabelle said, watching as her daughter ran off to join her classmates.
With a final wave, Isabelle turned and made her way to her job at a prestigious art gallery where she worked as an art director. The gallery, nestled in the heart of Paris, was a vibrant hub of creativity and culture. Isabelle walked through the grand entrance, greeted by the familiar scent of oil paint and the sight of canvases adorned with brilliant colors.
"Good morning, Isabelle," greeted Camille, the gallery's receptionist, with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Camille," Isabelle replied, returning the smile. "Any updates for today?"
"Mister Dupont wants to see you about the upcoming exhibition," Camille informed her. "He's in his office."
"Thank you, Camille," Isabelle said, heading towards the office of Jacques Dupont, the gallery's owner and a well-respected figure in the art world.
Monsieur Jacques Dupont is more than her boss. He is her friend and was the one who helped her find her feet when she came to France. When she found out that she was pregnant and unemployed, she thought about quitting school and going back home, a home where she was rejected.
But then she met Monsieur Dupont and everything changed. He is a 45-year-old man with a warm, friendly, and outgoing personality. He has a contagious smile and laugh that instantly puts people at ease. Dupont has a positive attitude and sees the best in everyone he meets. He is known for his great sense of humor and ability to make others smile, even in difficult situations.
Isabelle knocked on the door and entered. "Good morning, Jacques. You wanted to see me?"
"Ah, Isabelle, come in," Jacques said, looking up from his desk. "I wanted to discuss the final preparations for the exhibition. Your work on this project has been outstanding as always."
"Thank you, Jacques," Isabelle replied, taking a seat. "I've finalized the artist line-up and the layout of the gallery. Here are the details."
She handed him a portfolio, and they spent the next half-hour discussing the finer points of the exhibition. Isabelle's expertise and passion for art were evident in every suggestion she made, her keen eye for detail ensuring that everything would be perfect.
"You've done an excellent job, Isabelle," Jacques said, impressed. "I'm confident this exhibition will be a great success."
"Thank you, Jacques," Isabelle said, smiling. "I'm excited to see it all come together. I'll oversee the final installations this afternoon."
Monsieur Dupont has a wealth of knowledge and experience from his 30+ year career. He takes great pride in sharing his wisdom with younger colleagues and helping them grow professionally. Jacques is always willing to lend an ear, offer advice, or provide guidance to anyone who needs it. He is patient, understanding, and genuinely cares about the success of those he mentors.
As she left the office, Isabelle felt a sense of accomplishment. She loved her work, and her dedication to the gallery was unwavering. Balancing her career and motherhood wasn't always easy, but moments like these made it all worthwhile.
Returning to her office, Isabelle took a moment to glance at a photo on her desk ā a picture of her and Aria, smiling and happy. She wondered if she would ever see 'that' man again (Aria's father that is). And if she sees him, how will she explain Aria to him?
Well, Aria is her beautiful daughter. She touched the frame gently, feeling a surge of love and determination. For Aria, she would give the world. And in her work, she found a way to channel that love and passion, creating something beautiful and lasting.
Isabelle was in the midst of reviewing the final layout for the upcoming exhibition when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and saw her mother's name. With a slight furrow in her brow, she answered, "Good morning, mom."
"Isabelle," her mother's voice was strained and trembling, "you need to come home. Your father... he's very ill. The doctors say he doesn't have much time left."
Isabelle felt a pang of shock and a flood of emotions she hadn't confronted in years. "What happened?" she asked, her voice wavering.
"He had a heart attack," her mother explained, her voice cracking. "He's asking for you, Isabelle. He regrets everything. He wants to see you before it's too late."
Isabelle's mind flashed back to the incident that had driven a wedge between her and her father. She was eighteen, a free-spirited young woman with dreams of becoming an artist and had just gotten her diploma in Arts. Her father, a stern and traditional man, had always disapproved of her artistic ambitions, insisting she follow a more conventional path.
But the last straw that broke the camel's back was when her parents discovered that she'd been dating a married man. All her pleas that she was not aware of his status fell on deaf ears. Her father was disappointed in her and let his displeasure show.
It got worse when the man in question claimed that it was Isabelle who seduced him and wanted him to divorce his wife and marry her. Her father's highly religious and disciplined demeanor turned sour and he screamed at Isabelle.
"You are a disappointment to me and this family. I don't ever want to see you again."
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