owded than before, filled with art critics, wealthy patrons, and the city's elite. The

was the center

with new, brilliant green life sprouting from the ashes. It was my soul on a canvas, a visual representation

s astounding," one cri

for such a young arti

t with pride. He caught my eye from across

"Before we proceed, Miss West," she said, her gaze finding me in the crowd, "Mr. Thornton has expressed some

to me. The whisp

lieve that in art, authenticity is everything. Talent isn't just abou

beautiful, Chloe. So beautiful, in fact,

tly. "What are yo

alousy are easy. So, I propose a challenge. Right here, right now. L

tement spread th

ced. "Give us both a canvas, a theme, and o

d intrigued. Lia

s!" he snapped. "A

ly. "If Chloe's talent is as effortless as y

he pressure was immense. To r

se bravado. "I'll do it. It will be my plea

ls, canvases, and sets of paints. Dean Va

She worked quickly, confidently, creating a dramatic, stormy seascape. It was technically competent, full of cli

tched her, his expression softening into ad

. She stepped back from her pa

t was m

I picked up a single b

ute. Then t

. I didn't to

rned from anticipation to con

is she

zen. She c

embarrassi

arms, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. She t

ty, I put the unused brush down. My can

?" Dean Vance asked, her voi

loudly and c

walked to a small table where my bag res

he silent room. "It's a different kind of art. A perfo

ed the

had been white, flickered to lif

time-laps

the unique shades of green and grey. It showed me, day after day, week after week, pouring my heart and soul into the painting. The final frame of t

eliminary sketches, concept drawings, and color studies for "Rebirth." Ea

h the gallery. The silence wa

rom the hallway outside my apartment two months ago. It showed Chloe, letting herself into my st

hite as my untouched canvas. She was shak

g through the silence. "A fire for greed and dece