aid a striking woman in a sleek black dress. Her tone carried authority, but her eyes flicked to Lily

floor. "I apologize for that," Jake said, turning back to Lily. "Where were w

eman approaching. His gray hair was wild, and his glasses wer

at?" Lily said, her heart pounding. "No, it's not! I painted it myself." The man shook his head, his expression serious. "The style, the colors, it matches a piece tha

en notice. Whispers rolled through the room, and

destroyed before her eyes. She couldn't breathe. The walls seemed to close in, and the noise became unbearable. Without another word, she turned and fled, pushing through the cr

il

tears. "I didn't mean to cause a scene. "You have nothing to apologize for," Jake said, stepping closer. "That man

en know me. What if he's right? What if my painting really does

ble something else, that doesn't mean you'r

asked, her v

said simply. "And because I thi

turned to see the woman from earlier, Jake's associate. She stood in the doorway, her designer black dress huggi

wly, stepping forward. "

's gaze dragged over her,

ged, his warm protectivene

aid, his tone s

new to this world," she mused, her voice sickly sweet. "But le

th caught.

me? The one you just stumbled into? It will eat you alive. And Ja

clenched. "Th

eyes glinting with

's be honest" she leaned in slightly, her voice lowering "when it comes dow

s darkened

back. "Enjoy your little

ed into the night, lea

?" Lily aske

s tone bitter. "She doesn'

ily. "She really

h his hair. "Carmela doesn't like

ted. "Was s

ned. "Abo

"That people like me don

something undeniable

d quietly. "

cross the balcony, but

omething had begun, and neither o

anded her his card. "Call me if

s she walked away, she felt the weight of a ga

re she wanted to walk through, but someth

someone knew the trut

ruth would come