you want to enter the natio

, professional. It echoed in the va

iling window overlooking the New York City skyline. The cit

as b

he sickening crack of bone. The mangled flesh that was once his livelihood, his iden

membered

woman he loved more than life itself. Her eyes weren't fi

liced through the night, colder than the steel of the city. "Any

a curse filled with a hatred so profound

ck. Ten days befo

there?" the organizer's voic

antom'. Every piece of furniture, every minimalist sculpture, w

r initials as teenagers, blushing and awkward. He remembered going abro

is art, under the pseudonym 'Phantom', had found its way to her. It became her solace, the anonymous voice that pulled

orcing him to create art for them, turning his passion into a weapon against

He stepped into the void, claiming the identity of 'Phantom'. And Oliv

He saw the way Olivia looked at Mark, the same adoration she once had for the art on her wall

hands and a broken h

t was a physical thing, a crushing weight. He forced

to his lips. His voice was

l my e

antom, but th

argument. "However, I plan to hold a solo exhibition. Right here in New York City. I'll

ent. "Of course! That's incredible news! We'll arran

Ethan

d, unread message sat at the

for me? For the national competition. I'll pay

n days. The talentless hack couldn't produce a single decent stroke on his ow

, he type

issue. I'll cre

ude and relief. He had no idea what was coming. Ethan had a very s

talk your way out o

ail, he heard the pent

her expression a mask of cold authority. The smug, sim

ted Mark. You were always jealous of his talent. Well, he's entering the com

scraped off her shoe. "He's staying here tonight. We need to discuss his

n his dark eyes as he stared at the imposter. A storm of emotions

a masterful performance. He feigned distre

much to ask. I know my presence upsets you.

ing to Ethan. "Ethan Hayes, what is wrong

ankruptcy, when I almost jumped off a bridge, it was Mark's art that saved me

the air. Savior. She called this snake her savior, while the