The Billionaire's Stolen Muse

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I'd hoped. The small, weathered boat in my painting floated gently on the waves, framed by a soft, golden morning sky. It wa

eyes lingered on the painting as if staring long enough would reveal what w

at mattered, something worth hanging in a gallery

epy rhythm of life here-it followed me into everything I painted, clinging to me like

eakfast i

my thoughts. I sighed, glancing one mor

wrapped around me like a hug. Dad stood by the gas, humming one of his

eemed a little stooped. Still, there was something unshakable about him, l

ing, Dad,"

he flipped the eggs. "Didn't think I'd see you this early. Wha

into the chair by the wind

efore taking his seat across the table. "You're always painting.

e made my chest tighten. I nodde

ile of overdue bills on the counter or saw Dad massaging his sore sho

," I proposed, brushing those thoughts

oftened. "Simply don't assume I'll be one of those sop

ng his delightful sens

everal tubes of paint into my bag. The air outdoors felt cool yet held the warmth of a day that was expected to become w

a Martinez, swiftly sweeping her po

a," I said, giving a

ng in some sense, yet it also highlighted how rarely things altered here. I adored this town, yet at time

above, I could observe the docks beneath, where the fishermen's boats sprinkled the water like little dot

en I s

an V

less. From this distance, I could notice how the sunlight reflected off his dark, smooth hair, tousled by

observing. He always seemed so comfortable out there, as if he

. My hands shook a bit as I opened my sketchbook. I aimed to seize him-his calm power, his

started to sketch, allowing the pencil to smoothly move across the paper. My heart raced w

un

Turning, I saw Sofia climbing the hill,

exclaimed, pressing

rry, I couldn't resist. You looked so serious like y

uldn't help smiling. "W

ide me. Her gaze landed on my sketchbook, and her grin wid

of

r, she snatched the sk

ked, scanning the pages. Then her eyes playfully squinted

ook again, and my face flu

ning. "You realize you could simply chat wi

ore than a whisper. "He possesses his dreams, Sofia. Lar

distraction. You possess talent, and you equally deserve to dream as he does. Ho

d, observing the boats coming back to the dock. Adrian

ising and shaking dirt off her jeans. "You possess s

The sun sank further, painting the water in vibrant orange and rich purple. My hear

and I couldn't focus because of Adrian. Tomorrow, I'll try my luck