Dominic and Marianne went out for dinner at a fancy restaurant nearby. The owner had known him for years and she didn’t miss the chance of asking him a few questions about Dominic. The story she had referred to affected his mood. He did not speak much. However, right after they left Montmartre, it all changed, when she asked him to take her to Pont de Bir-Hakeim. Spanning the River Seine, it was one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris. It featured a pillared walkway, with breathtaking views of the Eiffel tower and the river. Dominic absolutely loved that place. He had been dreaming about kissing someone there. And, later that night, his beloved Marianne would grant his wish, filling his heart with joy, as they kissed under the stars. Their romantic moment pushed away all negative thoughts. In high spirits, Dominic held her in his arms, in the hope that he would manage to change her mind, regardless of what she had to say to him. After walking up and down the bank of the Seine, the young couple decided to return to their hotel.

The next morning, as he slid his hand up the sheets, Dominic opened his blurry eyes. Marianne was not there. He swiped the blanket away and looked around him. She was not in the room, either. He thought nothing of it, believing she was still somewhere in the suite. Just as he was about to get up though, Dominic noticed the edge of a pink envelope under her pillow. His stomach chilled in fear, as he took it in his hands. He pulled a lengthy, tear-smudged letter out of the envelope, feeling his heart ready to burst out of his chest.

“My dearest Dominic,

It’s me. The girl you welcomed to your castle, seven days ago. Your little bird. But my name is not Marianne. That’s why you don’t recognize the handwriting. Marianne is my twin sister. My real name is Rachel. Before you tear this letter up, please read what I have to say.

My sister is a great woman. Smart, funny, sensitive… She sees the good in people. But, she made a mistake. A while back, she slept with her editor. She got pregnant. Of course, she freaked out when she found out. The guy is married and already has two kids. He asked her to have an abortion. She wouldn’t budge, though. She thought it was cold-blooded murder. Then, he threatened to fire her, if she told anybody he was the father. That son of a bitch wouldn’t recognize the baby, either.

Anyway, three weeks before her trip to Paris, we were talking on the phone, when her editor’s wife overheard her saying he was the father. He lost it. They got into this huge argument. Poor Marianne… She tried to run after his wife and fell down the stairs. The doctors were able to save her baby. He’s four weeks premature, but he survived. My sister lost too much blood. She fell into a coma. They don’t know if she will wake up. My friend, Kate, suggested I take her place on this trip. After all, we’re identical, I was familiar with her work, I knew everything about her and I had three weeks to prepare for it. I even learned more about her relationship with Melanie and studied their chat history. Luckily for me, she hadn’t told her anything about her pregnancy. I discussed it with her editor. He loved it. He gave me a list of questions and sent me on my way, but, before I left his office, he said that if I disclosed my real identity, he would fire her immediately. A revelation like that would discredit the paper. He also said that if I kept my mouth shut, he would recognize the baby.

I am so sorry, Dominic. I passed off her life story as my own, but I had no choice. I had to make you believe I was her. I am just a shoe saleswoman; I am not a writer. Marianne’s the one with all the talent in the family. She was really excited when she heard she was going to France. You see, you were one of Melanie’s favorite topics. They chatted for hours on end, and, most of the time, they talked about you. She showed her pictures of you, your paintings and your castle. Marianne liked you so much that she came up with that verse I told you in Les Bossons. She confessed to having a crush on you. And that’s what makes me feel so much worse about myself. I got into a relationship with the man my sister could have ended up with.

There are lots of things that I could say about ‘why’ I did that. But, the truth could not be simpler. When you came up to my bedroom, I just couldn’t believe my eyes. You talked to me, you soothed me, you kissed me… And when you said you had drawn my portrait? God… I can’t even begin to describe how it made me feel. In case you’re wondering, the reason why I cried that day was not my sister’s book. I just remembered her lying in a hospital bed, with all those tubes in her veins.

I really hope you can understand why we can’t be together. My little nephew depends on me. Our folks got killed in a car accident, four years ago. I’m the only family he’s got. I doubt you want to be with someone who filled you up with lies. More importantly, I don’t think you can be with a woman who will have to split her life between her job and a baby. Raising him doesn’t leave much room for a personal life. Even if you lived here, it would be too hard for us to keep seeing each other.

I’m looking at you right now, my love. So peaceful, so serene… I love watching that chest of yours rise up and down. Somehow, it brings me peace. But, my heart sinks at the thought that these are the last seconds I am spending with you: The man who opened up to me, who pulled me away from my reality, who gave me his heart and asked for nothing in return. I’m going to miss being called ‘little bird’; even though I was never the author that nickname was meant for. That song we danced to last night will always bring tears to my eyes. Because I’ll always miss you, wherever I am. How can I not miss you, my king? Your heart is so warm that it could melt through steel. Your kiss was so tender that it had me swooning. Every time we touched, I felt like I was living in a fantasy.

You will always be the love of my life, Dominic. You will always be the king of my heart.

P.S. Keep my stuff. It’s not much, anyway. Wearing those clothes will only worsen my pain…

All my love,

Rachel

The letter slipped out of his grasp, as a tear rolled off his face. Dominic raised his hands to his face and covered his eyes, shocked to his very core. A sigh of despair fled from his lips, as he looked down at the paper, through open fingers. In a split second, his body began to shake violently. Squeezing his eyes shut, he burst into tears, unable to believe his fate. Devastated by the truth, he dropped his face into his hands, the pain within shattering his heart. Immediately, he recalled his last breakdown. This time though, the woman who had taken him in her arms was not there to comfort him…

This can’t be happening,” He thought to himself, his tears soaking the skin in his hands, as he tumbled into bed. “Marianne… Or Rachel… You’re gone. Why didn’t you tell me any of this, baby? Why did you leave me out? I could have helped. No. I refuse to accept we are over. But, what can I do? Man, this is so complicated…