Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I watch as Nate shakes his head at the man before gesturing at some of the other paintings.
The man looks disappointed and quickly hurries toward The Summit.
Stepping closer, I take hold of Nate’s forearm. “What did he ask?”
Nate smiles and explains, “He wanted to purchase First Glance, but it’s already sold.” His smile widens. “Along with Seclusion and Fundamentals of Destruction.”
A shockwave ripples over me.
I’ve sold three paintings.
Oh my God.
I swing to Callan with a huge smile. “Three!”
He pulls me closer to him. “Congratulations, Lily.”
Eloise brings a couple to introduce to us, and soon, my head is spinning with everyone telling me how much they love my art.
I’m bombarded with people, doing my best to answer all their questions.
Every now and then, Callan pushes a bottle of water into my hand with the command that I take a sip.
The evening is such a success until my eyes land on two familiar faces. The blood instantly chills in my veins, and I hurry toward them.
Sophia, the person who gave birth to me, smiles cautiously when I’m near them. “Darling, you should’ve told us you were having an exhibition. It broke my heart to read about it in the paper.”
“Get out,” I hiss.
A comedic expression flits over her face. “Lillian, we’re here –”
“Out! Now!” I whisper-shout.
“Leave before I have security throw you out,” Callan threatens from behind me.
Oliver and Sophia rush to the door, and I follow after them to make sure they leave.
When we step out of the gallery, I settle a scalding glare on them. “How dare you come to my exhibition!”
“We wanted to show our support,” Sophia exclaims, visibly shaken. “We’ve realized we’ve been a tad harsh with you.”
Are you freaking kidding me?
When Sophia opens her mouth again, I hold up my hand to silence her.
Looking at Oliver, I demand, “I want to hear the words from your mouth.”
He’s clearly upset but surprises me by saying, “I might’ve been too hard on you.”
Slowly, I shake my head at them. “You’re only here to take credit for my success, which I sure as hell will not allow. I meant it when I said I never wanted anything to do with you again. Don’t ever come near me again.”
Turning around, I bump into Callan. He quickly wraps an arm around me while his eyes burn on Oliver and Sophia. “If you ever try to contact Lily again, I’ll make sure everyone knows how fucking corrupt you are.”
He ushers me inside, and giving me a concerned look, he asks, “Are you okay?”
Surprisingly, I am.
The corner of my mouth lifts as I let out a pent-up breath. “I’m better than okay.”
Walking back to my exhibition, I quickly forget about the unpleasantness as I bask in all the praise for my paintings.
When there’s a lull in the evening, I glance at my babies, and knowing they’ve all found new homes makes this experience bitter-sweet.
“I wonder who the buyers are?” I mention to Callan.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Slowly, people trickle out of the room until only the buyers remain to pay for their purchases.
Pulling away from Callan, I take a moment in front of every painting to say goodbye.
I remember the endless hours I poured into creating the collection and the tears I cried, thinking no one would love them.
The last piece I stop by is First Glance. My teeth tug on my bottom lip as I fight the tears.
Callan wraps his arms around me, and with his chest pressing against my back, he whispers, “I bought First Glance.”
I spin around in his arms. “You did?”
When he nods, I throw my arms around his neck and hug the living hell out of him. “God, Callan. And here I was, saying bye to my baby.”
He lets out a chuckle. “Our baby.” He brushes a stubborn curl away from my face. “I want to make it a tradition to buy one from every collection you create.”
God. My heart.
“I’m the luckiest woman alive,” I murmur as I stare up at the man who’s only brought happiness to my life.
“I’ll remind you of that when you’re angry with me,” he teases before pressing a quick kiss to my mouth.
Chapter 44
Callan
Pulling into Dad’s driveway, I can feel the nervous tension coming from Lily.
“Relax, baby. They’re going to love you.”
“Uh-huh,” she mumbles.
I get out and walk around the front of the Bugatti to open the passenger door. When Lily climbs out, her eyes dart over the typical suburban house.
After I became a billionaire, I offered to buy Dad a new house, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
I take Lily’s hand and lead her to the front door. Before I knock, Dad pulls it open, a big smile on his face. “Finally.”
He pulls Lily into a hug before pushing her back so he can look her up and down. “You’re too beautiful for the likes of my son,” he jokes.