Chapter Twenty-Three: An Unexpected Twist

Life at the foundation continued to thrive, and Julien found a sense of fulfillment he hadn't known since Claire's passing. His relationship with Isabelle blossomed, and they became a pillar of support for each other, sharing their dreams and navigating the ups and downs of life together.

One rainy evening, as they were preparing for an upcoming exhibition, Julien received an unexpected phone call. It was from Claire's parents, whom he had kept in touch with over the years.

"Julien, there's something we need to talk to you about," Claire's mother, Marie, said, her voice tinged with a mixture of urgency and emotion.

Julien's heart raced. "Of course, Marie. What's going on?"

Marie took a deep breath before speaking. "We recently received a letter from Claire's lawyer. It turns out that Claire had written a will before she passed, and there's something in it that we think you need to see."

Julien felt a lump form in his throat. "A will? I didn't know Claire had made one. What does it say?"

"We think it's best if you come over and read it yourself," Marie said gently. "It's something that might change your life."

Julien agreed, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. He told Isabelle about the call, and she offered to come with him for support. Together, they made their way to Claire's parents' home, where they were greeted with warmth and love.

Claire's father, Jacques, handed Julien an envelope. "This was Claire's last wish, Julien. She wanted you to have this."

With trembling hands, Julien opened the envelope and began to read the letter inside. Claire's familiar handwriting brought a rush of emotions, and he felt her presence as if she were standing beside him.

"Dear Julien," the letter began. "If you're reading this, it means I'm no longer with you, and for that, I am deeply sorry. I want you to know that my love for you will never fade, and I will always be with you in spirit. There is something I need to tell you, something I couldn't share while I was alive."

Julien's heart pounded as he continued reading. "Before we met, I discovered that I was pregnant. The father was someone I had been seeing briefly, but our relationship ended before I knew about the baby. When I found out, I was terrified and unsure of what to do. I considered telling you, but then I fell in love with you, and everything changed."

Isabelle squeezed Julien's hand, her eyes wide with shock. Julien felt a mixture of emotions—surprise, sadness, and confusion. He read on, eager to understand more.

"When I became ill, I made the difficult decision to give the baby up for adoption. I wanted to ensure that our child would have a loving and stable home, knowing that I might not be able to provide that. It was the hardest decision I ever made, but I believed it was the best for our child's future."

Julien's mind raced with the implications of Claire's words. He had a child out there, a piece of Claire that he never knew existed. The realization was overwhelming, and he felt tears streaming down his face.

"I hope you can understand and forgive me for keeping this from you, Julien," the letter continued. "I wanted to protect you from the pain and uncertainty I felt. But now, I want you to know the truth and to have the opportunity to find our child if you choose to. Their name is Sophie, and they are living with a wonderful family who loves them dearly."

Julien felt a surge of emotions—grief, anger, and a profound sense of loss. But beneath it all, there was a spark of hope. He had a daughter, a living connection to Claire, and the possibility of finding her filled him with a sense of purpose.

"Thank you for everything, Julien. I love you more than words can express. Always and forever, Claire."

As Julien finished reading the letter, he felt a wave of determination wash over him. He knew that finding Sophie would be a challenging journey, but it was one he was willing to undertake. With Isabelle's unwavering support, he felt ready to face this unexpected twist in his life.