No Longer His Muse

d itself into my vision, overlaying th

e parasitic relationship with Liam. Final G

inch, I had gotten used to this strange "Muse" over the past year, this system that had

e marriage between Liam and his

apartment Liam called my "studio." It was more of a gilded cage. Every canvas, every tube of paint,

allery. Then Liam had walked in. Wealthy, powerful, an art collector with a reputation for discovering new talent. He saw my work, he saw me, and he bought it

mall apartment, my independence. I fell into his arms, believing he was my savior. But saviors don't put you in a cage, no matter how beautiful it is. His suppor

he talked about in his sleep, the name he sometimes whispered after we made love. Scarlett, the renowned art critic, his childhood friend, the one who w

rt out of me. The new sub-quest was my only way out. I had to get Liam to marry Scarlett. I had to push them together, to make him finally

ing echoed through the penthouse. Liam was home. I quickly composed myself, wiping the

face handsome but cold. He barely glanced at my paintin

oice clipped. "Scarlett is back in town

t. It was starting. I kept my voic

derful for the

tant, seeing her, not me. "I need you to come

a dog he had to remind to stay on its leash. I felt a familiar wave of humiliation wash ove

Liam. I'll

one orchestrating everything. I turned and walked towards the bedroom, my steps measured and calm. Inside, I was a storm of pain and resolve. He wanted me to be a doll on his arm, a sil