CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY – TRUE SELF WORTH

The weight of Jean-Pierre's scornful parting words hung heavy in the air around her. His disdainful dismissal stung far more deeply than it reasonably should have. After all, what did she care what this arrogant Frenchman thought of her in the end? And yet, some part of her couldn't shake the sting of his contempt. Wrapping her arms around herself, Madison shivered again despite the mild evening. The secluded alcove that had seemed so enchantingly romantic just minutes before now felt cold and lacking in any sort of magic. All around her, the night sounds of the park seemed to press in - a mocking chorus of crickets and rustling leaves. She felt utterly alone and small beneath the weight of her humiliation. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as her mind replayed Jean-Pierre's sneering rebuke on an agonizing loop. What had she been thinking, allowing herself to get so carried away? And with him of all people - a man who clearly viewed her as little more than an intriguing creat