Chapter 26
The sweet springnight envelops us in its dark veil, making me shiver. The glow of the streetlights illuminates our steps as we walk side by side on the nearly deserted streets of Paris. The cobblestones beneath our feet resonate softly, creating a soothing symphony in the quietness of the starry night. By my side, Corentin walks in silence, his presence solid as a rock, a pillar of support on which I can lean in this moment of vulnerability. We should have gone home, but I needed fresh air, and my apartment would have suffocated me.
The golden light of the Sacré-C?ur outlines in the distance, sparkling like a distant star in the dark velvet of the sky. Hands in hand, we climb up to the basilica, as if its spiral steps were a path to the serenity I need not to drown. My thoughts are in turmoil after the altercation with the one who claims to be my father. I feel the need to distance myself from everything, to take a break in this tumultuous cascade of emotions devouring me slowly.
As we climb the steps, the city sprawls below, its lights forming a luminous kaleidoscope dancing under the starry sky. The cool wind caresses my face, chasing away the shadows darkening my mind and soul. The view is breathtaking; I am elsewhere, filled with the nightmares of my childhood. Reality hit me like a crashing wave, sweeping away all my certainties and leaving me prey to a whirlwind of confusion.
“How?”
It”s the only thing I manage to say. I don”t expect an answer, and Corentin understands it well. This word is not for him but the sky, so it envelops my plea and sends me back a more concrete explanation. How could I have idealized this man for years? The truth turned out to be quite different, and it hit me cruelly and painfully. The words he spoke, his lack of remorse for what he did, all of it wrapped around me like a snake around its prey. He broke my heart. He was far from the role model I had built for myself.
I sit on a bench, my fingers gripping the wooden edge. Corentin sits beside me, his gaze filled with understanding and compassion. He says nothing, knowing my emotions are too complex to be expressed in words. He is there, simply there, and means more to me than any comforting phrase. With my head on his shoulder, he places his hand on my back to rub it.
I close my eyes, breathing deeply, trying to calm the internal chaos. A soft visual melody accompanying the beats of my heart. My father”s words still echo in my head, the lies, the betrayal, all mingling in a painful whirlwind. And yet, despite the overwhelming sadness and anger, I know I am not alone.
I am no longer and will never be alone.
“Do you think I”ll get better someday?”
“Yes, but only if you decide. Anyway, we”re here. Your real family is by your side. Already your mother, but there”s us. Manille, Charlotte, and me. We are your family. We will forever be there for you, Florence. Because we all love you and know your worth, unlike your father.”
I turn my head toward him, locking eyes. His eyes, filled with empathy and a deep understanding, make my heart flutter. I give him a smile, a gesture of gratitude for his presence. In this shared silence, I discover a peace I had not imagined with this encounter. I lean in and kiss the corner of Corentin”s mouth. In response, his arms squeeze me tightly, his scent tickling my nostrils. Above us, the twinkling stars testify to a future day when I will get better. I will give myself the time and energy to love and trust myself. The path ahead will be difficult, unanswered questions will continue to haunt me. But with Corentin by my side, I feel ready to face what comes. I will walk one step at a time, and even if I fall, my loved ones are there to catch me.
I have finally found my place on this Earth.
I have my home.
I have my family.