Chapter 4 — An Impromptu Stroll Along the Seine

Dahlia

The cool Parisian night wrapped around Dahlia like a silk scarf, brisk with possibility and tinged with the faint chill of autumn. She glanced sideways at Viktor as they stepped onto the cobblestone street, the warm glow of Le Petite Étoile fading behind them. He had hesitated when she suggested the walk, his hand brushing the face of his silver wristwatch with an unconscious precision. For a moment, she thought he might refuse, his hesitation stretching just long enough to make her wonder if he would retreat behind his well-ordered world. Then, with a nod that felt more like surrender than agreement, he followed her into the night. The victory, though small, felt significant.