The days in Paris passed in a blur of champagne, laughter, and celebration. Kier stood beside Camille at every step, smiling for photos, nodding through toasts, sitting at elegant dinners with his son Arthur, Arthur’s wife Melissa, and David. The city sparkled around them. It was Camille’s dream come true.
As planned, the symbolic wedding ceremony took place at a rooftop overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Camille wore an off–white gown, kissed Kier’s cheek, and held his hand as their family clapped. There was no legal paper–Kier was still married to Erika, or what he thought so- but Camille didn’t care. She had waited for this moment all her life.
Later that evening, as they dined under warm lights and gold–trimmed chandeliers, Kier’s mind wandered. He drank his wine, but the taste didn’t register. Camille looked radiant across the table, talking about flowers, menus, and what she’d post on Instagram next.”
But something inside him wouldn’t settle.M
He remembered when he first loved Camille–years ago, when they were still in their twenties. She was ambitious, focused, and always reaching for more. He had proposed then, but she said no. She wasn’t ready. Career came first.
It broke him.N
In his stubbornness, he married Erika. She was safe, soft–spoken, steady. And marrying Erika meant Camille would always be nearby. That was enough… for a while.
Until it wasn’t.N
They started their affair quietly. Camille slipped into his life like smoke. Late–night calls. Secret touches. Moments Erika never questioned
or maybe she did. Maybe that’s why she left. Maybe she had always known.“]
Kier hadn’t stopped thinking about that.M
The morning after their ceremony, Camille leaned on his arm while they walked along Rue Saint–Honoré, pointing out boutiques. “Let’s shop,” she said brightly. “I want a necklace. Something special.“}]
“Alright,” Kier muttered.N
They entered a luxury store. Camille busied herself with the glittering displays while Kier wandered to the corner. A simple gold necklace caught his eye–elegant, timeless. Erika would’ve loved it.
He asked the attendant to wrap it.
Camille walked over, smiling. “Oh, thank you. Is that for me?“!
Kier didn’t respond right away.
She narrowed her eyes. “Kier?“N
“No,” he said. “It’s not for you.“N
Her smile faltered. “Then who?”
He met her gaze. “It’s for Erika.”
Her face hardened. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not.”
Camille took a step back. “You’re buying your wife a necklace? After everything we’ve done ho
“She deserves something,” he said flatly.”
“For what? For abandoning you? For ruining the trip?”
Kier’s voice was low. “She didn’t ruin anything. She just… left, and surely would come back. Maybe she just wanted time for herself, so that she’ll be okay once we come back.”
Camille crossed her arms. “And you think giving her a necklace will fix it?”
“It’s the least I can do,” he muttered. “She was never supposed to find out about us. This” he gestured around them, “-was never supposed to happen like this.”
“You’re unbelievable,” Camille hissed. “You’re still thinking about her? After I gave up everything to be here with you?”
Kier frowned. “I said I’ll buy you something else.”W
“I don’t want anything else,” she snapped.”
“Fine,” he said, his tone turning cold. “But this is for Erika.“@
Then he turned and walked out, leaving Camille fuming inside the boutique.})
The cold air hit him like a slap. He stood outside, necklace box in hand, chest heavy. He didn’t know what he felt anymore. Regret? Shame? Loss?%
His hand moved to his phone. He dialed Erika again.
No answer
Another call. Straight to voicemail.
His fingers trembled slightly. He stared at the contact name–her name–and felt a sinking weight in his chest.
She was really gone.
He thought she’d be angry. Silent. But not… unreachable. Erika had always waited. Always endured.!!
But not this time.E
10
13 08
12:32 PM S
No answer.
Another call. Straight to voicemail.
Ο
0
His fingers trembled slightly. He stared at the contact name–her name–and felt a sinking weight in his chest.
She was really gone.
He thought she’d be angry. Silent. But not… unreachable. Erika had always waited. Always endured.
But not this time.
He started walking–fast, without direction. The streets blurred past. Horns honked. Tourists laughed. His thoughts were loud.
She knew.
She had known all along, hadn’t she? Maybe that was the reason why she left. But still, he wouldn’t allow that!
He reached the hotel, went straight to their room, and began packing. Camille barged in minutes later.}
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
“I’m going home.”>
“To her?” she snapped.”
“I need to see if she’s okay,” he said.”
Camille’s voice rose. “You don’t even know where she is!“}
“Exactly,” Kier muttered. “That’s what scares me.”}
“You’re seriously walking out now?“}
“I have to.”
Camille stared at him, furious and stunned. “You don’t love me.”
“I don’t even know what love means anymore,” he said quietly. “But I know I can’t stay here pretending this is what I want.”}
Camille’s voice cracked. “You said you’ve always loved me.“}
“I thought I did,” he admitted. “But Erika… she gave me twenty years. She gave me everything. And I gave her nothing.“}
With that, he zipped his suitcase and left the room.
At the airport, he booked the first flight out.”
As he boarded, his mind spun with memories: Erika’s laugh. The night Arthur was born. The promises he once made. Her voice in the dark saying, “I’ll always wait.”
But she didn’t.
And that was what scared him the most. What if her goodbye was real?}
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