My husband, Mark, and I had been married for over a decade. He’s a dedicated businessman, always traveling for work, and this time, his trip took us to the city of love—Paris. I was excited about the idea of being in such a romantic place with him, hoping we’d finally have some quality time together away from the chaos of our everyday lives.

But as soon as we landed, it became clear that Mark’s business commitments were going to take precedence over everything else. Meetings, calls, and dinners with clients filled his schedule, leaving me alone in our hotel room more often than not. I tried not to let it bother me. After all, I knew how important his job was to him, and I wanted to be supportive. Still, I couldn’t help feeling a bit neglected.

After two days of watching the city go by from our hotel balcony, I decided I couldn’t spend my entire time in Paris cooped up in a room. I needed to explore, to feel the city’s heartbeat, to experience its beauty firsthand. So, I dressed up in my favorite sundress, put on some comfortable shoes, and ventured out on my own.

Wandering through the charming streets of Montmartre, I felt a sense of freedom that I hadn’t felt in a long time. The cobblestone paths, the smell of freshly baked croissants wafting through the air, and the sight of artists painting on the sidewalks filled me with joy. I visited the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica and admired the stunning view of the city from its steps. I lost myself in the streets, stopping at little boutiques, tasting macarons from a local patisserie, and letting the magic of Paris wash over me.

As I strolled along the Seine, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling city, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see a young man, perhaps in his late twenties, with a charming smile and twinkling blue eyes.

“Bonjour,” he said in a thick French accent. “I couldn’t help but notice you from across the street. You seem… how do you say, enchanted by Paris?”

I smiled, a bit flustered by his directness. “Yes, it’s my first time here, and it’s even more beautiful than I imagined.”

He introduced himself as Julien, a Parisian who loved showing tourists around his city. “Would you like some company?” he asked. “I could show you some hidden gems that aren’t in the guidebooks.”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if this was a good idea. But then I remembered how lonely I’d been feeling, how much I wanted to make the most of my time here. Mark was busy with work, and there was no harm in having a friendly guide for a few hours, right?

“Why not?” I replied with a grin. “Lead the way, Julien.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the city together. Julien took me to a quaint little café tucked away in a quiet alley, where we sipped on espresso and chatted about life, love, and our shared appreciation for Paris. He had a way of making me feel at ease, and I found myself laughing more than I had in months.

As the sun began to set, Julien suggested we take a walk along the Seine, where the city lights were just starting to twinkle. The romantic atmosphere, combined with Julien’s effortless charm, made me feel like I was in a movie. We stopped at the Pont des Arts, the famous bridge known for its love locks, and leaned against the railing, gazing at the Eiffel Tower shimmering in the distance.

“I’m glad I met you today,” Julien said softly, turning to face me. “You’re not like the other tourists. You have this… light about you.”

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. “Thank you, Julien. I’ve had a wonderful time. I really needed this.”

He smiled, his eyes locked onto mine. “You deserve to feel special. To be appreciated.”

As we stood there, I realized just how much I had been craving this feeling—feeling seen, appreciated, and admired. It had been so long since I’d felt this way, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to Julien’s youthful energy and kindness.

“Would you have dinner with me tonight?” he asked, his voice filled with hope.

I hesitated again, thinking of Mark and our marriage. But then I reminded myself that this was just a harmless dinner, an evening with someone who made me feel alive and appreciated in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“I’d love to,” I replied, deciding to seize the moment.

Julien took me to a cozy little bistro near the river, where we shared a bottle of wine and delicious French cuisine. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and I found myself captivated by his stories of growing up in Paris and his dreams of becoming a writer.

As the night went on, I could feel the chemistry between us growing stronger. There was a moment when Julien reached across the table and gently took my hand in his. My heart skipped a beat, and I realized that I was at a crossroads. I knew I needed to make a decision, to either pull away or embrace this fleeting moment of connection.

Before I could overthink it, I gently withdrew my hand, giving Julien a soft smile. “Thank you for today, Julien. It’s been incredible, but I think I should head back to my hotel now.”

He nodded, understanding in his eyes. “Of course. I understand. Thank you for spending the day with me, Jess. I’ll never forget it.”

Julien walked me back to my hotel, and as we stood outside the entrance, he leaned in and kissed me on both cheeks—a typical French farewell, but there was a tenderness in the gesture that made my heart ache.

“Goodnight, Jess,” he said softly. “Take care of yourself.”

“Goodnight, Julien,” I replied, watching as he walked away into the night.

As I entered the hotel and made my way back to my room, I couldn’t stop thinking about the day I’d just had. Julien had given me a gift—reminding me of what it felt like to be truly seen and appreciated. But more than that, he’d shown me that there was still so much life and love to be experienced, even if it wasn’t with him.

I opened the door to find Mark still on a call, his face illuminated by the glow of his laptop. He glanced up briefly and gave me a tired smile before turning back to his screen. I sighed, realizing that I had a lot to think about.

Paris had opened my eyes in more ways than one, and I knew that I needed to have a serious conversation with Mark about our marriage, about what we both wanted and needed. But for now, I was content with the memories of a perfect day in Paris, a day that reminded me of the importance of feeling alive, loved, and appreciated.