Sophia found Julian rather odd, mysterious, and downright peculiar. The realization had struck her quite suddenly. The reason required no elaborate reasoning or dramatic revelation. It was remarkably straightforward.

It all came down to him insisting that the previous night’s failure to finish the painting was entirely her fault.

This French man genuinely believed she was to blame. The irony of it nearly made her laugh.

“I still can’t believe you refuse to take back what you said,” she remarked, her tone filled with disbelief.

His stubborn stance irritated her deeply. She felt a conflicting urge to either slap him or pull him in for a kiss.

She hated how...