The Paris Architect: A Novel

Juliette placed her hand on the lapel of his tweed jacket. Gaspard stepped away from her until his back was against the wood-paneled apartment door.

“You know, I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you at Jean’s party,” said Juliette. “So handsome. And when we started talking, I knew right then how brilliant you were. Remember?”

“Of course, I remember. And you won my heart in an instant. For a woman to be so pretty and to have a doctorate in bacteriology doing such important research at the university,” replied Gaspard. “I was so happy to find you.”

“All the wonderful trips we took and all the good times we’ve had together in the last five years. The parties we gave.”

“Why, yes,” said Gaspard with a smile.

“Then please stay, my love. Together, we can get through this,” Juliette pleaded with tears welling up in her eyes.

A pained expression replaced her husband’s smile.

“I…just can’t do it, Juliette. I can’t.”

“Is it the thought of us being penniless? Or the loss of your position?” Juliette started toward him but stopped. “Do you think you’ll be sent to Drancy with me?”

Gaspard’s reply was an agonizing silence.

Juliette put her head in her hands. “Please don’t do this,” she begged. She wanted to run up to him, put her arms around his waist, and bury her face in his broad chest as she’d done in the past when she was upset or sad.

Gaspard’s fair complexion was now flushed with shame. He turned and placed his hand on the door handle. Without saying a word, Juliette grabbed hold of his sleeve, and Gaspard shook his arm to get loose of her as he opened the door. With a furious tug, he finally freed himself and slammed the door.

“Come back,” Juliette yelled after him. “Please!”

She stood staring at the door, tears streaming down her face. She walked into the salon where she sobbed uncontrollably and loudly, not caring who might hear her.

God, I married a coward, she thought. But it doesn’t matter. I still love him!

Juliette sat down in an armchair and tried to calm herself. She gently rubbed her belly. She and her baby were now totally alone in the world.

***

Six weeks later, as Juliette sat in the empty lion’s den, the memory of that terrible day still played over and over in her mind. Every time she thought of Gaspard’s shocking betrayal, she felt like crying. Time hadn’t lessened the pain in the least. She had loved her husband so much…and then to see this handsome, intelligent man turn into a frightened little boy who ran away.

Everything had come down on them so suddenly. First, Juliette lost her position at the university where they both worked, then came the unexpected pregnancy. Gaspard hadn’t seemed truly happy when she told him the news, though for her sake, he’d tried to seem so. Just after the surrender, when they’d seen a couple pushing a pram, Juliette remembered he’d said that no one should bring a child into a hell like the Occupation. She knew it wasn’t the best time to have a baby, but she was still overjoyed; being a mother would always trump her career, no matter how successful she became.