reativity of the art, the challenge of building a world from scratch-it was the only thing th

t, I'd been quietly successful in other ways. I' d created and sold several high-demand asset packs on the major game development platforms. My pixel art environments an

a huge sale, a licensing deal with a well-known studio. I was

waved a dismissive hand at me without even loo

ng to show his mother a drawing while she was busy with important adult conversation. I quie

ring me a job like a bone to a

d her words. "You mean your

selling point. "It's a great chance for

ess laugh. "Chloe, do you

d, her tone implying it w

ed her. "A small one, but it'

be dramatic. A few hundred dollars

and pulled out my latest bank statement. I

e page. Then they widened. She looked from the paper to me, t

she stammered. "Is this from your cor

ago," I said flatly. "That's

"hobby," were shattered in an instant. The power dynamic in the room shifted, and it was a physical, palpable thing. She was no l

r said anything,

ver listenin

you have some money. That's great. But you could st

ting her off. "I'm no

he faint scent of Liam's colog

ot interested in work