Paris Isn't Forever
Doris stands on the rooftop of their Paris hotel, watching the sunrise over the Eiffel Tower.
Beside her, Dante sleeps peacefully on the lounge chair.
She watches him for a long moment, heart full but uneasy.
They've been together for three weeks now—since the fashion show.
It's been beautiful.
But it's also been fragile.
Like glass.
Like a song played too softly.
She texts Clara:
"I need time off after the tour ends."
Clara replies instantly:
"Of course. But don't disappear again."
Doris smiles sadly.
Too late.
She already has one foot out the door.
When Dante wakes up, he finds her packing.
He leans against the doorway.
"You're leaving."
She doesn't look at him. "Not yet."
"But soon."
She finally turns to him. "I need to find myself again."
He nods slowly. "You mean away from me."
"I mean before I lose myself in you."
He walks toward her. "That's not losing yourself. That's finding someone who gets you."
She shakes her head. "I can't be your muse, Dante. Not forever."
He exhales. "Then what are we?"
She looks at him.
And whispers:
"I don't know yet."
---
Flashback – "Echoes II Rehearsal
Backstage during final rehearsals for the Echoes II tour, Doris sketches furiously.
Dante enters with a new track playing on his phone.
"It's called 'Before You Leave,'" he says quietly.
She listens as the music fills the room—soft piano, haunting vocals.
She recognizes the lyrics.
They're about her.
About letting go.
About holding on.
She closes her eyes.
"This is beautiful," she murmurs.
He steps closer. "It's for you."
She turns to him. "Why?"
"Because I'm afraid if I don't say it now, I'll never get the chance."
She swallows hard. "You're not going to try to stop me?"
"No." He touches her face gently. "But I want you to know that whatever happens… this was real."
She kisses him then.
Softly.
Tenderly.
Like goodbye.
Or maybe just a pause.
---
Return to London – A New Studio, A New Start
Three months later, Doris returns to London.
She's accepted a position as Creative Director at Marlowe & Co.
Clara welcomes her warmly.
"You're back."
Doris smiles. "For good this time."
Her first task: launch a new line.
She's given a blank slate.
No pressure.
Just freedom.
She throws herself into work.
Sketching.
Designing.
Creating.
But something feels missing.
Without him.
At night, she scrolls through old messages.
Songs he sent.
Voices he recorded.
Photos of them dancing in the rain.
She misses him.
More than she expected.
More than she admits.
One evening, she visits The Velvet Note alone.
Sits at the bar.
Orders wine.
And hears a familiar voice behind her.
"I thought you were gone for good."
She turns.
Dante.
Standing there.
Smiling.
She swallows hard.
"I am."
He sits beside her.
"Good."
---
Emotional Confrontation – What We Left Unsaid
They talk all night.
About everything.
About the fear.
The silence.
The distance.
Doris finally tells him what she couldn't say before.
"I left because I loved you too much."
He blinks. "What?"
"I didn't want to become someone who only lived for your approval. For your love. For your music."
He takes her hand. "You were never that to me."
She looks at him. "You were my world. And I didn't want to forget who I was outside of us."
He exhales. "I get it."
She searches his face. "Do you still want me?"
His voice is low. "Always."
She leans forward. "Even if I walk away again?"
He cups her cheek. "Even then."
She kisses him.
Slowly.
Passionately.
Like she's trying to remember every second.
When they pull apart, he whispers:
"Let's make a deal."
"What kind?"
"If we ever leave each other again…"
"We come back."
She nods.
"We come back."
---
Flashback – Dante's New Album
While Doris was away, Dante released an album.
Titled: "Unfinished Melodies."
Each song is inspired by their time together.
Track 4: "Echoes of Us"
Track 5: "Midnight Masquerade"
Track 6: "The Dress She Wore"
He writes openly about loving someone who wasn't ready to stay.
About letting go.
About waiting.
He performs live in London shortly after Doris's return.
Tickets sell out in minutes.
On stage, he dedicates a new song to her.
"This one's for the girl who taught me how to feel again."
From the crowd, Doris watches.
Heart pounding.
Eyes wet.
She realizes…
She never really left.
She just needed to see the whole picture.
---
Romantic Climax – A Second First Night
After the concert, Doris waits outside the venue.
Dante emerges, still wearing his performance jacket.
He sees her.
Smiles.
Walks over.
"You came."
She nods. "I had to."
He tilts his head. "Why?"
She steps closer. "Because I realized something."
"What?"
"That I don't have to choose between being myself and being with you."
He grins. "So you're staying?"
She bites her lip. "Maybe."
He laughs. "You're impossible."
She kisses him again.
Longer this time.
Deeper.
Full of everything they've been through.
When they pull apart, he whispers:
"Come home with me."
She hesitates.
Then nods.
"Yes."
---
The Song We Haven't Sung Yet
They end up in his studio.
The same one where Lila once stood.
Where Victor once threatened them.
Where secrets were born.
Dante sits at the piano.
Plays a soft melody.
New.
Unfinished.
Doris leans against the wall, watching him.
He pauses.
Looks at her.
"This is for our future."
She walks over.
Kneels beside him.
He hands her a lyric sheet.
Title: "The Song We Haven't Sung Yet."
She reads it silently.
Then meets his gaze.
"I want to finish it with you."
He smiles. "I was hoping you'd say that."
They begin writing together.
Words flow easily.
Melodies follow.
Hours pass.
Outside, the city sleeps.
Inside, two hearts beat in rhythm.
Finally.
Together.