The Cost Of Forever

ce still soft but laced with the playful edge I miss

r words hurt more than she knows. She notices the stress in my

e, right? Remember when I ate that weird sus

gs at my lips. "You

fun of me th

ently. "It was your fault for thinki

I laugh, there is a heaviness in my chest that won't go away.

ing gentle. "You can't keep worrying about me like this. I'l

stomach remains unchanged. "Yes, for now but, we still need the fund

zing my hand. "We will come up

f gifts-a giant teddy bear, a box of candy, and a couple of books stacked un

forcing a grin as Lucas sets every

mile crossing her face. "You didn

uldn't show up empty-handed to visit my favorit

Lila on the bed. "This guy's for the late-night snugg

the bear's fluffy head. "Perfe

ing out the books and candy, "are

n't you?" Lila jokes, her e

softer as he unwraps the painting. "But this... this is

right hues and confident brushstrokes appeared to throb with feeling, as if optimism was bre

speak, captivated by the painting's in

ed you'd like it," he said, his tone barely a

trace the lines with her gaze, her expression so

worry that weighs on me daily. Our gazes meet, and for an instant, we

e emotional intensity while refini

ads bent close together. My mind spins with the weight of everything-money, tr

d. Social media carries significant influence. If we can attract the attention of the right individuals, we might

ried before. The market's saturated. People aren't exa

aign, showcasing your best work? You've got some incredible pieces. We could run targeted ads, maybe even s

ring his idea. "Ads? L

People will connect with that, especially if we tell your story-the real story. Not just abou

on of my most intimate pieces which are more than art; they're f

m the series I did on grief-the one inspired by Lila's fight. I

tors, gallery owners, even wealthy philanthropists. People who have the money to invest an

It's risky, but what other option do we have? This coul

let her slip away. Not again." Lucas re

s sending a shiver down my spine. "I know

ft squeeze, "You're not just doing this for

hout any of you," I admit softly, the wei

tens, "We're alw

d, the door opens,