Love Across Empires
aid a striking woman in a sleek black dress. Her tone carried authority, but her eyes flicked to Lily
floor. "I apologize for that," Jake said, turning back to Lily. "Where were w
eman approaching. His gray hair was wild, and his glasses wer
at?" Lily said, her heart pounding. "No, it's not! I painted it myself." The man shook his head, his expression serious. "The style, the colors, it matches a piece tha
en notice. Whispers rolled through the room, and
destroyed before her eyes. She couldn't breathe. The walls seemed to close in, and the noise became unbearable. Without another word, she turned and fled, pushing through the cr
il
tears. "I didn't mean to cause a scene. "You have nothing to apologize for," Jake said, stepping closer. "That man
en know me. What if he's right? What if my painting really does
ble something else, that doesn't mean you'r
asked, her v
said simply. "And because I thi
turned to see the woman from earlier, Jake's associate. She stood in the doorway, her designer black dress huggi
wly, stepping forward. "
's gaze dragged over her,
ged, his warm protectivene
aid, his tone s
new to this world," she mused, her voice sickly sweet. "But le
th caught.
me? The one you just stumbled into? It will eat you alive. And Ja
clenched. "Th
eyes glinting with
's be honest" she leaned in slightly, her voice lowering "when it comes dow
s darkened
back. "Enjoy your little
ed into the night, lea
?" Lily aske
s tone bitter. "She doesn'
ily. "She really
h his hair. "Carmela doesn't like
ted. "Was s
ned. "Abo
"That people like me don
something undeniable
d quietly. "
cross the balcony, but
omething had begun, and neither o
anded her his card. "Call me if
s she walked away, she felt the weight of a ga
re she wanted to walk through, but someth
someone knew the trut
ruth would come