Chapter 19
“Do you have time this afternoon? A new art exhibit just opened, and I’d love for you to come with me,” Simon said.
1 froze mid–page as 1 browsed the menu.
An art exhibit? Ever since my injury, I had unconsciously avoided anything to do with painting. Deep down, I still loved it, but….
I glanced at my scarred right hand.
“Serena, did you hear me? I don’t think I’ve ever told you this, but I’m actually an artist. And when I was looking at the photos from our first shoot, I had a strong feeling you possessed a painter’s sensibility.
“But when I saw your right hand, I realized something must have happened that took painting away from you. That’s why I want you to come with me.”
I met Simon’s earnest gaze and found myself unable to refuse.
“Okay,” I murmured.
The moment we arrived at the gallery, a wave of hesitation hit me. I wasn’t sure I was ready to face my scar.
Just then, a hand reached out from beside me, gently taking mine. I looked up to meet a pair of expectant eyes.
“Come on, Serena. Let’s go in.”
Stepping inside, I was instantly surrounded by paintings. Looking at them, I felt like I had been transported back to the time of my own art exhibition. Back then, when I was pursuing Zachary, I had invited him to see my work.
He had brushed me off, claiming he was too busy with work, only for me to later discover he had taken Maisy to an amusement park instead.
That was also the day he posted his first Instagram update—a picture of him and Maisy, both smiling sweetly.
The comments were filled with his friends, who had never met me and assumed Maisy was his girlfriend. They gushed over how beautiful she was and how perfect they looked together.
And Zachary hadn’t corrected them. He knew I would see it, and he still let it stand.
I had never insisted he come to my art exhibitions. But I had once asked if he wanted to go to an amusement park with me. He had dismissed the idea as childish. Then came Bradley. I thought he, too, would find my art boring, so I never invited him. Even when he offered, I turned him down, afraid he was just being polite. Over time, I stopped asking for things in my relationships.
I found myself considering the other person’s feelings more because I realized that love wasn’t just about taking. It was about giving, freely and without expectation.
And yet, Bradley had no problem bringing his friends to my exhibitions. He proudly showed off my work and told them that these paintings were created by the woman he loved. He spoke as if it were some grand privilege for them to witness my work.
His words left a deep impression on me; so much so that when he proposed at Mom’s funeral, I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
Looking back now, I realized the truth. Bradley had loved Maisy so much back then. Everything was probably an act.
At this thought, tears rolled down my cheeks before I could stop them.
Simon noticed instantly and panicked. “Why are you crying, Serena? If you don’t want to be here, we can leave.”
He reached for a tissue and gently wiped my tears. There was something about his kindness that made me want to let down my walls.
“Take your time and tell me whatever’s on your mind. I’ll be your listener.”
Simon seemed to see right through me. Looking at his earnest, harmless expression, I couldn’t help but feel the urge to share everything I had been through.
When he heard my story, he gently took my injured hand and wiped away my tears.
“Everything’s going to be okay. Don’t doubt yourself. What you’ve been through can’t be erased, but it won’t define you forever. One day, you’ll come out of this stronger.” Watching Simon gently comforting me, I felt a stir deep in my heart.
“Come on. Let’s go somewhere new. Shake off all the bad vibes from today.”
He grabbed my hand and took off running, dragging me along with him. For the first time in a long while, I felt like the happy version of myself who existed before I loved Zachary and Bradley
Simon brought me to an amusement park. I stared at the place I’d been quietly longing for and felt something close to excitement.
“So, what should we try first? I’m not great with heights, but I’ll risk my life for you today,” he said.
“Alright”
After saying that, I pointed at the carousel
We ended up sitting one in front of the other on the ridiculously childish ride.
The whole time, he had his phone out, recording ine It felt strange.
I wasn’t used to bring the one captured in the moment. Most of the tuue, I was the one documenting others, just like with my paintings.
I would sketch street scenes, the kitten by the convenience store, or the people loved But I had never silly experienced being the subject myself.
The only exception was that one time I was invited to be a model for an art class. However, the instructor said I was too stift and replaced rue before the session event ended
“Yes! That’s petfert! Now give the a smile, Serenal”
I forced a smile, probably not a great one
Simon didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he just kept telling me how good I looked.
fat some teason, that put me at este
Strangely, when I looked at him, those buried memories felt the warm breers, carrying not just pabi but something else as well.
