BENEATH THE VELVET EMPIRE

hed over me again, reminding me that this world was just as cold as it was beautiful. I felt like a stranger in a gi

ach person with effortless charm, his hand resting lightly on my back, a gesture that both reassured and res

these people didn't see me-they saw an extension of Liam Mercer. I was no longer just Isabella Wright, the struggli

gleaming veneer of wealth, I began to understand what she meant. This wasn't a place where you simply ex

abe

d of Liam's voice. He was watching me ca

he said, his tone s

ff the tension that had settled in

ld sense the unease I was trying so hard to hide. Then he le

to leave, s

nsumed me. But leaving now would feel like admitting defeat, like proving Victoria and everyone else h

shaking my hea

, then nodded. "Alright. But you le

. I wasn't ready to leave yet, not when I was still figuring ou

Liam kept me by his side, occasionally slipping away to handle some business matt

n heels for hours, and my face hurt from forcing smiles at people who barely looked at me.

ens that had seemed so peaceful earlier. Now, they felt like a reminder of how far removed I was from everything in this world. I

d where yo

me, his expression unreadable. He stepped closer, his presence as comman

aid quietly, turning my

s together. For a moment, neither of us said anything, the silence betwe

n, aren't you?" Liam finally a

out the offer. The deal he had laid out in front of m

ted, my voice barely above a whisper. "This w

hing his words carefully. Then he stepped closer, his hand b

firm but not unkind. "This world isn't about blending

in the way he looked at me that made me feel like I was more than just some artist he

lightly. "But I can promise you one thing. If you take this chance, if y

to make. This was the moment. The moment where I either stepped into the unknown a

d of playing it safe, of holding myself back beca

ing in my chest as I finally spoke t

ka

h-but whatever it was, it was quickly replaced by a softer expression. He didn't gloat

though something unspoken had just been sealed, a pact that neither of us could break now. The weig

as he glanced around the emptying ballr

exhaustion from the night catching up to me, and I wasn't sure I

rty. Liam's sleek black car was waiting for us, and the driver opened the door for me, offering a polite nod as I

ng by as I stared out the window, lost in thought. It wasn't unt

ow, we

e full weight of the decision I had made t

ld, Liam's hand brushed lightly against mine. I looked b

Isabella," he said quietly,

I believed it yet, but wanting to tru

dnig

t the pavement as I made my way to the entrance of my building. Once inside, I leaned aga

surreal. Part of me wondered if I was in over my head, but another part of me, the part that had been si

up most of the small living area, with canvases scattered around, some half-finished, others abandoned completely. I

my feet as I made my way to the couch. I sat down heavily, staring at the blank canvas

s. I fished it out, half-expecting it to be Jenna checkin

i

e him to text me this late, especially after we'd just said goodn

what I said. Y

mething about Liam's quiet certainty that made me want to believe him, that made me feel like maybe

I let myself believe it, if I threw myself int

the events of the night before still fresh in my mind. I groaned, bury

't hide from

ent into the kitchen to make coffee. As I waited for the pot to brew, my phone b

as an email.

ject line again just to be

Exhibit O

I had hit the wall, before I had started doubting whether I was cut out for the a

feature me in a

, of all times, it was finally happening. But as I read the details, my excitement was quickl

His deal. Hi

he deal with Liam now-not after what I'd agreed to. But this gallery opportunity was what I had

I was going to balance this. Could I even do both? Could I na

my skin. I wasn't expecting anyone, and it was still early. I set my m

i

table that he would show up, though I had no idea what he was doing

r, though there was a hint of amusement in

ping aside to let him in.

here a hundred times before. He glanced around at the scattered canvases, the messy studio space, and I half-ex

id, though I wasn't sure if I wa

the corner, the one I hadn't touched in weeks. "Go

lery opportunity now-not when we were about to dive into this new venture together. But the weight of it

said, forcing a