Hello everyone! Here’s today teaser for Love and Betrayal in the City of Lights. Enjoy!

As Jean told me, he was stepping outside the university’s massive doors when he heard Claude call after him.

“Jean! Jean!”

He stopped short, turning around and finding Claude and Bella quickly approaching. To the outside, their appearances suggested things had returned to normal. Claude was immaculately turned out, and Bella was wearing her usual uniform of slacks, a short sleeves blouse, and a neck scarf. But, as my brother found out, outward appearances can be deceiving.

“Hello,” Jean greeted.

“We need to talk,” Claude said, his chest rising and falling as if he had run a race.

“Sure.” Jean didn’t see the warning signs.

They moved over to an area with a bench, and while Jean and Bella sat next to each other, Claude remained standing in front of them.

Claude cleared his throat and questioned, “Are you seeing Annette?”

“Romantically,” Bella cut in with a tone that struck Jean’s body like knives.

Though taken aback by the brazen nature with which they’d broached the subject, Jean chose not to deny it. “I am. We’ve been out a few times.”

Claude and Bella exchanged glances.

Though Jean felt he already knew the answer, he asked, “Is there a problem?”

Claude kicked a pebble. “Not necessarily.”

“Yes,” Bella added. She stared at Jean with an uncompromising glare. “Jean, you can’t see her.”

My brother burst into laughter. “Bella, since when do you decide who I can and cannot see?”

“This isn’t a joke, Jean,” Claude agreed and Jean looked at his friend with disbelief. “She’s not good.”

“Says the man who was chasing her no less than a month ago.” Jean’s tone was sharp and Claude’s eyes darted down to the ground.

“She uses men,” Bella stepped in. “And she’ll use you.”

“Use me for what purpose?” Jean demanded.

Claude shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t know, but it can’t be good.”

“This is ridiculous.” Jean got to his feet and stepped away. “Just because you both had your ups and downs with Annette doesn’t make her a bad person or someone who is a user.”

He thought the dressing-down would be enough, but Claude and Bella seemed willing to risk everything for Jean to stop seeing her.

Bella retaliated. “It’s either Annette or us.”

Jean’s mind went blank. Who were they to demand such a thing? Unable to think, Jean slowly turned away and left. He heard Claude call after him—or he thought it was Claude—but he didn’t react. All the happiness and elation of the past few weeks evaporated.

Link: https://mybook.to/CityofLights