in my tone as I said, "Lilian, do you really think Ethan is going to marry you? He just s

in her eyes, only to be quickly masked by a stubborn defian

r arguing furt

elieving whatever Ethan said. But

ilian and walked towards the car p

rs, cold and unrelenting,

n the back seat and gave an address I hadn't m

ity center and gradually dr

e the faded charm of the last centur

t corner, I gazed at the dusty gla

lling "Cecelia Gallery" were

ing my mother, Ell

us painter. This gallery embod

anted to be the perfect wife. So I tucked the keys deep in a draw

zed that the neglected ti

gave a hoarse sound. It sounded like th

Sunlight streamed through the grimy wind

. There were Ellen's unfinished paintings in the c

n's paintings. "Twilight on Sagwaki Rill." The texture of the

es sudden

nd said expectantly, "Cecelia, don't neglec

love Ethen made. So I just casually responded

caying gallery, I was

myself, who had been very influe

ed to myself, and my voice echoe

lly slicing through my false happiness.

couldn't let Ellen's life's wor

d found a number I had

der of the team, who had o

the other end sounded surprised. "

panes to let fresh air flood in. "I need your help to renovate a gallery. The ad

hesitate. "

. The air seemed to carry the scent of

d Ashlyn Cart

investment industry and the dir

oice was as cheerful as ever. "Have you spotted

ty wall, and my fingers traced its rough surface. "I

y? Cecelia, you finally thought it through? I knew you wouldn't be content being just a

s sharply as I had when I first learned the new

including Lilian's revelations to Preayork

he phone. "Cecelia, you did the right thing. Ethan isn't worth a second of yo

warm current, dispelling the chill

thought about continuing your career in the investment industry? Do you know how many entrepreneurs are wait

ontinue m

ed deep within the triv

was slowly clearing. I remembered the d

n't I seize the chance to

ong-lost excitement. "After the gallery

versation with Ashly

again. It was Ethan's a

ered it. I asked c