Chapter 4

Lina underwent chemotherapy and a series of medications, but her body did not respond well to the treatment. The toll it took on her was evident, and despite Charles's desperate hope, Lina made the difficult decision to stop the treatment. She wanted to spend the remaining time she had with her family, cherishing every moment rather than enduring the painful and draining process of chemotherapy. Charles wanted her to fight, but he saw the exhaustion in her eyes and knew her decision was made. His heart broke even further as he realized he was powerless to change the outcome.

Six months later, Lina passed away. Her death left Charles and Christian, along with Lina's mother, utterly heartbroken and devastated. The funeral was a somber affair, filled with grief and sorrow. After the funeral, Charles couldn't hold himself together. He fell into a deep depression, turning to alcohol as a way to numb his pain. For two years, he neglected his responsibilities as a father to Christian, who was also struggling with the loss of his mother.

One night, Christain developed a terrible fever. The maid, Luna, rushed to inform Charles of the situation. As Charles entered his son's room and saw him lying there, feverish and weak, his heart skipped a beat. The fear of losing Christian overwhelmed him. Without hesitation, he scooped Christian into his arms and rushed to the hospital. The doctors tended to Christian and assured Charles that it was just a bad fever and that his son would be fine. After three days in the hospital, Christain was discharged, and they returned home.

This scare was a wake-up call for Charles. He realized he couldn't continue to wallow in his grief and neglect his son. Christian needed him now more than ever. Even though Christain reminded him so much of Lina, Charles knew he had to step up and be the father his son deserved. He decided to spend more time with Christian, to bond with him, and to create new, happy memories together. 

Charles started to make small changes, dedicating his mornings to preparing breakfast for Christian and driving him to school. He began attending Christain's soccer games, cheering him on from the sidelines, and spending their weekends exploring parks and museums. These moments, though simple, began to rebuild their relationship. Slowly, the bond between father and son grew stronger, and the dark clouds that had hung over Charles's life started to lift.

Charles still missed Lina deeply, but he found solace in the laughter and joy he shared with Christain. He realized that being there for his son was a way to honor Lina's memory, ensuring that her love and spirit continued to live on in their lives. With time, Charles's heart began to heal, and he embraced his role as a father with renewed purpose and dedication.

After Chloe landed and followed all the necessary procedures, she finally stepped out of the airport. The cool, crisp air greeted her, filled with the scent of fresh croissants and the bustling sounds of Parisian life. She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. French signs were everywhere, and the melodic sound of people speaking French surrounded her, making everything feel incredibly real.

She hailed a cab and, as she settled into the back seat, the driver turned to her with a warm smile. "Bonjour madame, comment était votre voyage?" he asked. Chloe, mustering her best French, responded, "Bonjour, bien, merci." Sensing her slight struggle with the language, the driver kindly offered, "Would you prefer to speak in English?" Chloe sighed with relief and replied, "Yes, thank you." She was sincerely grateful for his thoughtfulness.

As they drove through the city, the cab driver chatted with her about Paris, sharing tips on the best places to visit and local delicacies to try. Chloe found herself thoroughly enjoying the conversation, soaking in every bit of information. The driver's enthusiasm for his city was infectious, and Chloe's excitement grew with each passing landmark.

When they arrived at her hotel, Chloe checked in and was handed the key to her room. She eagerly made her way upstairs, her suitcase rolling behind her. As she opened the door and stepped inside, she was greeted by a breathtaking view. Her room overlooked the city, and in the distance, she could see the Eiffel Tower, its iron lattice work illuminated against the evening sky. Chloe felt a rush of exhilaration; this was the Paris she had always dreamed of.

She immediately took out her camera and snapped a few pictures of the stunning view. The photos turned out beautifully, capturing the magic of the city. Feeling the effects of jet lag and hunger, Chloe decided to order room service. She enjoyed a delicious meal of coq au vin and a glass of red wine. After savoring every bite, she took a long, relaxing shower, letting the hot water wash away the exhaustion of her journey.

Wrapped in a fluffy hotel robe, Chloe climbed into the comfortable bed. The soft sheets and plush pillows were incredibly inviting, and she quickly drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the adventures that awaited her. She couldn't wait for the next day to begin.

Chloe had a list of places she was eager to visit, from the Louvre, Eiffel Tower to the quaint cafes in Montmartre. The thought of exploring the city, tasting its cuisine, and immersing herself in its culture filled her with anticipation. Paris held so much promise, and Chloe felt ready to embrace every moment of it.

Charles and Christian had plans to visit the Eiffel Tower that day. Charles, being a dedicated father, rushed through some of his meetings and canceled others to make time to spend with his son. He met Christian and their maid, Luna, at the entrance of the iconic tower, and together they began their day of adventure.

Meanwhile, Chloe woke up that morning with a sense of excitement and anticipation. She had a hearty breakfast, took a refreshing shower, and dressed for the day. Her first destination was the Eiffel Tower, as it was the closest major attraction to her hotel. Arriving at the tower, Chloe was filled with awe at its grandeur. She began climbing, her camera ready to capture every moment.

At the top of the tower, Chloe was busy taking pictures of the breathtaking views when a lively and excited Christian, running around in his youthful exuberance, accidentally collided with her. The impact knocked her camera from her hands and nearly caused her to lose her balance. Charles, seeing the incident, acted quickly. He grabbed Chloe by the hand, pulling her back to safety, but in the process, they both fell to the ground, with Chloe landing on top of him. As they lay there, a moment of intense connection passed between them. Charles felt something shift inside him, a feeling he hadn't experienced in years.

Chloe tried to get up, but the shock of the incident overwhelmed her, and she fainted. Without hesitation, Charles scooped her up and rushed her to the nearest hospital. The doctor reassured him that she was merely in shock and needed rest.

In the hospital room, Christian and Luna sat by Chloe's bedside, waiting for her to wake up. Charles had stepped out to get a drink from the vending machine. As he returned to the room, Chloe began to stir. The first thing she saw was Charles standing by the door. He was very tall, with pitch-black hair, an arrogantly handsome face, and chiseled cheekbones. His dark, full eyebrows framed his intense eyes, exuding power and vitality. The sight of him was overwhelming.

Charles walked towards her and asked, "How do you feel?" His voice was deep and melodious, leaving Chloe momentarily lost in its beauty. She quickly gathered herself and replied, "I'm fine, thanks for the save." Charles apologized, saying, "No, I'm sorry. My son almost ran you down." Christian, looking innocent and remorseful, stood up and apologized to her. Chloe smiled warmly at him, assuring him that she was fine.

As Chloe stood up, Charles couldn't help but notice her fair skin, straight brown hair, and natural beauty. Her tiny waist and round breasts caught his attention, and he felt a strange and powerful attraction to her, something he hadn't felt even with the numerous beautiful women he had known.

Charles assured Chloe that he would replace her camera, his tone filled with sincerity and concern. "Don't worry about your camera, Chloe. My assistant, Elise, is already working on getting you a new one," he said, his eyes meeting hers with a comforting gaze. "And please, don't worry about the hospital bills either. I've taken care of everything."

Chloe, overwhelmed by his kindness, felt a rush of gratitude. "Thank you so much, Charles," she said, her voice soft yet earnest. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me."

Charles smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting genuine care. "It's the least I can do after everything that happened. Would you like me to drop you off at your hotel? It's no trouble at all."

Touched by his offer and still feeling slightly disoriented from the day's events, Chloe nodded. "Yes, thank you. I would really appreciate that."

As they left the hospital together, the cool evening air wrapped around them, creating a serene atmosphere. They walked side by side to Charles' car, an unspoken connection hanging in the air. The ride to Chloe's hotel was filled with light conversation, each word deepening the sense of ease and comfort between them.

Charles drove carefully through the Parisian streets, the city lights casting a soft glow inside the car. "I hope you're feeling better," he said, glancing over at her as they paused at a traffic light.

"I am, thanks to you," Chloe replied, her eyes reflecting the city's sparkling lights. "I can't thank you enough for your help today."

Charles smiled again, a warmth in his expression. "I'm just glad I could be there. If you need anything else while you're here, don't hesitate to let me know."

Chloe felt a flutter of something new and exciting as she looked at him. "I will, thank you."

When they arrived at her hotel, Charles parked the car and walked her to the entrance. "Take care, Chloe," he said softly. "I hope to see you again soon."

"Thank you, Charles," Chloe replied, her heart feeling lighter. "I hope so too."

As she stepped inside the hotel, she turned back to see Charles watching her with a gentle smile. An unspoken connection lingered between them, hinting at the beginning of something significant.