Chapter 7 - A New Home
The transition out of Rue de Lappe was swift and overwhelming.
Within a week, Étienne’s estate management team had secured a magnificent, sunlit apartment overlooking the Luxembourg Gardens. High ceilings, hardwood floors, walls large enough to display dozens of Leia’s charcoal sketches and paintings, and a cozy fireplace that crackled with dry birchwood.
When Henri walked through the front door for the first time, leaning slightly on a wooden cane, he stopped and breathed in the scent of polish, old books, and fresh flowers.
"Is this... really ours?" Leia whispered, running her fingers over the smooth velvet of a new sofa.
"It is yours," Étienne said, standing in the doorway with his hands in his coat pockets. "And Henri, your private office is down the hall. My engineers are already sending over the updated designs for the new solar initiative. We need your brilliance back, old friend."
Henri looked at Étienne, the last lingering shadows of bitterness finally dissolving from his heart. "You know, Étienne... you always were a terrible loser, but you make a surprisingly good partner."
Leia ran over and hugged Étienne around the waist, taking him completely by surprise. The billionaire stiffened for a microsecond before wrapping his arms around the girl, resting his chin gently on her head.
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"Thank you, Monsieur DuPont," she whispered.
"Call me Étienne, little star," he replied softly.
