DEAR READER, THIS CHAPTER IS RATED+18. BEWARE! *One Month Later* Franklin was finally fit again. After spending a week in Chicago, he decided to return to Paris. He sat in his office, eyes fixed on the file in front of him. His mother had offered him the CEO position, but he didn’t want it, not like that. He wanted to rebuild himself, without leaning on her wealth or reputation. Thalia had taught him that. She had taught him independence, self-respect, and how to stand on his own feet. She was the reason he even had his own company today, the reason he had become a better man. And yet, he had thrown it all away in one reckless day, forgetting everything she had done for him. “What are you thinking about?” Yulia’s voice broke into his thoughts. She stood by the doorway, dressed in a p

