Chapter 21: Desire

Constantine’s voice called after me, but I didn’t stop. My heart was pounding in my chest as I burst out into the cool night air. I couldn’t process everything happening inside me—the painting, the emotions, the vulnerability. It felt like too much. The streets of Paris, usually calming in their beauty, now felt overwhelming, closing in around me.

I turned a corner, trying to put some distance between us, but I couldn’t escape the weight of his words, the way he looked at me, the painting he had gone through so much effort to bring here. Why did he care so much? What was I supposed to do with all of this? I felt my emotions spiraling, the night around me a blur.I ducked into an alleyway, resting my hands on the cool stone brick wall as I tried to catch my breath.

"April!" His voice was closer now, and I stiffened, my hands pressing into the brick. I didn’t turn around, too afraid to face him. Footsteps approached, stopping just a few paces behind me. I could feel him there, his presen