The City Of Love
2273 Words
*FOUR MONTHS LATER…*
*Paris, 7:30 p.m.*
Evelyn stood beneath the dazzling lights of the Eiffel Tower, gazing up at its breathtaking beauty. The soft glow reflected in her charcoal-gray eyes, making them shimmer against the night sky. Wrapped in a black trench coat over a white long-sleeved t-shirt and fitted black pants, she clutched her bag tightly, savoring the cool evening breeze.
It had been three months since she left Beverly Hills. Paris, the ‘City of Love,’ had been a temporary refuge before she moved on to her next destination.
“It’s beautiful…” she whispered to herself.
“I agree.”
A deep, masculine voice responded, breaking her solitude.
Startled, Evelyn turned swiftly, her eyes locking onto a tall, well-dressed man standing beside her whose person exuded confidence and charm.
For a brief moment, he seemed just as taken aback. His deep brown eyes studied her intensely, as though trying to place a memory.
Ethan—who had only meant to make casual conversation—now found himself frozen in place.
The woman before him was striking, with her delicate features, flawless porcelain skin, and jet-black hair cascading down her back. But more than her beauty, something about her seemed… familiar.
Then, realizing he had been gawking, he quickly composed himself.
“Sorry for staring,” he said, offering a polite smile. “It’s just… you look familiar.”
Evelyn chuckled softly. “No problem. I’m Evelyn, by the way.”
The name confirmed his suspicions. ‘Evelyn?’ ‘Caleb’s wife?’
Ethan had seen her before—only in photographs. Caleb had sent him a few wedding pictures months ago, and now, standing before him, was the woman from those very photos.
But what was she doing in Paris? Alone?
To remove any lingering doubt, he discreetly pulled out his phone and glanced at the old pictures. ‘It’s definitely her.’
Masking his curiosity, he casually asked, “So, Evelyn… what’s a beautiful woman like you doing here in Paris all alone?”
Evelyn arched a brow. “What makes you think I’m alone?”
Ethan glanced around playfully. “Well, I don’t see anyone claiming you.”
Evelyn let out a small laugh before sighing. “You’re right. I am alone.”
His brow furrowed slightly. “And why's that? Why are you in the ‘City of Love’ all by yourself? What’s your story?”
Evelyn hesitated. ‘Should she tell him the truth?’
‘Then again, what harm could it do? He was just a stranger, and by tomorrow, she’d be leaving Paris for good and would likely never see him again.’
Deciding it didn’t matter, she sighed. “Well, I got divorced recently.”
Ethan’s expression softened. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be,” she said with a sad smile. “At least my ex-husband wasn’t. Otherwise, he would’ve bothered to check up on me.”
Ethan clenched his jaw. “What happened?”
“Do you want the short version or the whole story?” Evelyn asked.
“The whole story,” he replied without hesitation.
And so, she told him everything—the sudden disappearance of Tessa, how she had been forced into marriage as a replacement, the months of mistreatment at Caleb’s hands, Tessa’s return, and finally, how Mrs. Hayes had handed her divorce papers along with three million dollars as compensation for being an unwanted stand-in.
By the time she finished, Ethan’s hands were curled into fists.
“That’s… unbelievable,” he muttered, his voice filled with anger. “Your ex-husband is a scumbag. And your so-called family? Just as bad.”
He continued, “I can't even begin to imagine what you went through. I'm so sorry on behalf of your ex-husband.”
Ethan couldn’t believe what he was hearing about his brother.
‘Caleb? ‘An abuser and a maltreater?’
And to make matters worse, Caleb had never mentioned anything regarding the incident that took place on the wedding day. Learning about it from the victim only made him angrier.
Evelyn let out a dry laugh. “Why are you apologizing? It wasn’t your fault neither was it his fault. I was the fool who thought he might fall in love with me or at least treat me with a shred of kindness. But to him, I was nothing more than Tessa’s replacement.”
Clearing his throat, he changed the subject. “So… how have you been coping? What are you doing for yourself now?”
“Well,” Evelyn said. “I started therapy three months ago, and my therapist recommended that I explore the world and appreciate its beauty, so I've started traveling. Along the way, I'm holding onto the hope of finding someone who will love me with the same passion and devotion that Caleb had for Tessa.”
Ethan raised a brow. “And how long have you been in Paris?”
“A month.”
“And you haven’t found anyone?”
“No,” Evelyn sighed. “Which is why I’m leaving for Tokyo tomorrow. Paris has officially failed me.”
Ethan smirked. “You’re giving up too soon.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean? One month in Paris without a lover already shows how pathetic I am.”
“You haven’t tried me yet.”
Evelyn blinked. “Excuse me?”
Ethan grinned. “You’ve spent a month searching for love in Paris, but you never gave me a chance. I might just be the one you've been searching for.”
“Oh, please,” she scoffed. “I’m not falling for this.”
“I’m serious,” he insisted. “I’m young, successful, handsome—” he smirked, “—and most importantly, single. I think I am the one. The person who will love you a lot more than Caleb loves Tessa.”
Evelyn shook her head, despite smiling. “No. I already told you—I’m done with Paris. And I'd rather spend my time staring at the Eiffel Tower than trying to find love in those few hours.”
“Look, how about you just give it a thought?” Ethan pulled out his business card and handed it to her. “Here. My number. Think about it tonight and call me if you change your mind.”
She hesitated before taking it. “Fine, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“Oh, I will,” he said with a wink. “And in the meantime, since this ‘might’ be your last night in Paris, let me show you what you’ve been missing.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “You’re still a stranger. I can't trust you.”
“Evelyn, look at me,” Ethan said softly, his gaze meeting hers and his expression turning sincere. “I know trust doesn’t come easily. And I won’t ask for it. But let me take you out tonight—just for fun. No expectations. No pressure. And believe me when I say, I will never try to hurt you, not after knowing everything you've been through. So please, Just this one time and I promise you won't regret it.”
Evelyn studied the man in front of her for a moment. She doesn't know a thing about him and has never seen him before. She didn't even know his name and yet he was showing her the most kindness she had ever experienced in the last few months. She could also see the sincerity in his eyes, something reassuring.
Maybe just this once, she could take a chance.
“…Okay,” she said. “I'll go with you.”
“Thank you and I promise you won't regret this.”
Ethan led Evelyn toward his car, parked just a short distance from the Eiffel Tower.
They settled into the vehicle, fastening their seat belts, but before Ethan could start the engine, Evelyn turned to him.
“You know,” she mused, “I never actually got your name. It’s not on the card you gave me.”
Ethan hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding, “Uh… the name’s Liam. Yeah, Liam.”
Evelyn raised an eyebrow at his oddly nervous tone but didn’t question it further. “Hmm… Liam. Nice name.”
“Thanks,” Ethan—now ‘Liam’—said, offering an awkward smile.
‘It was just a harmless white lie.’ Or so he told himself. He’d reveal the truth eventually—just not yet. Not after what his brother had put her through.
With that thought lingering in his mind, he started the car and drove away, heading toward another scenic spot in Paris.
—-------------
By the time Liam dropped Evelyn off at her hotel, the city had fallen into a quiet lull, the streets illuminated only by streetlights and the occasional passing car.
He bid her goodnight and drove away, leaving Evelyn standing in the hotel lobby, deep in thought.
After checking into her room, she took a long, hot shower, hoping to wash away the stress of the evening. As she lay on the bed, she replayed their conversation in her mind.
He had asked her to think about his proposal.
But was it even worth considering?
What were the chances that he wouldn’t turn out to be another Caleb?
She stood up to go grab her coat, her fingers reaching into its pocket as she pulled out the business card Liam had given her. For a moment, she simply stared at it, muttering his name while running her fingers over the embossed text.
Then, without another thought, she crumpled it into a tight ball and tossed it into the trash.
Tomorrow, she will leave for Tokyo. She wasn’t interested in another heartbreak.
Exhaling deeply, she closed her eyes, letting exhaustion pull her into a dreamless sleep.
—----------
The next morning, Evelyn checked out of her hotel, her suitcase rolling behind her as she hailed a taxi that would convey her to the nearest airport. The sun had barely risen, casting a golden hue over the Parisian streets.
Just as she opened the taxi door, a firm grip wrapped around her wrist.
Startled, she turned to find Liam standing before her, his expression tense, his eyes filled with frustration.
“Really?” he asked, his voice edged with disbelief. “You’re leaving? Without even considering my proposal?”
Evelyn pulled her hand free and let out a sigh. “I told you last night not to expect anything. What did you think I meant?”
Turning to the taxi driver, she muttered an apology before he drove off, leaving her alone with Liam.
Liam raked a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “You could have at least called.”
“And say what?” she challenged.
“I don’t know… ‘anything’. I knew you’d try to disappear, which is why I’ve been parked outside your hotel since five this morning.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened slightly. “You’ve been here since ‘five’? Why?”
“Because I’m serious about this, Evelyn.” His voice softened, but there was still an urgency behind his words. “Why won’t you give us a chance?”
Evelyn hesitated before asking, “Why are you so determined about this? And why me? Why are you so interested in me… a divorcee?”
Liam took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. “Why shouldn’t I be interested? You’re intelligent, kind, and honest. You deserve someone who truly loves you. And I want to be that person. Besides… I’m not getting any younger. It’s time I start thinking seriously about my future.”
Evelyn let out a small, disbelieving laugh. “I don’t know, Liam. I don’t think I can take that risk.”
Liam exhaled, then spoke again. “Alright, how about this—give me one week. Date me for one week. Get to know the real me. And if you still feel nothing after that, I won’t stop you from leaving. I’ll even pay for your flight ticket if you decide to go.”
Evelyn stared at him, her mind racing. ‘It was just a week. What harm could it do?’
She could just imagine that she was extending her stay in Paris and after a week, she'll reject him and leave forever.
After a long pause, she finally said, “Fine. But just for a week.”
A grin broke across Liam’s face. “Yes! Thank you! But who knows, you might end up being my wife.”
Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Don’t push your luck.”
She turned back toward the hotel, dragging her suitcase inside to book another room. Meanwhile, Liam stood on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets, smiling like a fool.
—-------------
What started as a seven-day agreement turned into something far greater.
One week became a month. A month became a year.
And now, two years later, Evelyn sat beside her fiancé, Liam, on a private jet bound for the United States.
A year into their relationship, he had proposed, and she had said yes.
Now, they were flying back to the U.S. so she could meet his family, finalize their wedding plans, and begin a new chapter
together.
Liam had even relocated his business—Apex Motor Works, one of the top luxury car manufacturers in the country—so he could build a life with her in the States.
Everything had fallen into place perfectly.
Or so she assumed…
Because what awaited her upon arrival…
Would change everything.
- Writer
