A Dream Interrupted, A Life Reclaimed

ow space in my chest. I just needed to make one last stop at a local art supply store for some travel sket

glanced at me, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and con

ounter. The cashier, a young woman I had seen ther

t sounding sorry at all.

hat do you mean? I

the other customers could hear. "We

my voice barely a whisper.

ow what you did," she sneered. "Ruining that poo

gather around, their fa

to explain, my voice trembling. "H

ack. "We all saw the news report.

had to be Daniel. He was a lawyer, he knew people in the media. He ha

angry accusations. They called me names I couldn't repeat

olding up my hands. "

feeding on itself. Someone knocked the sketchbooks out of my hand. A

r face contorted with righteous fury. "

ard a sickening crunch. I looked down and saw my offer letter, which I had kept inside, torn and trampled under a di

attack. Daniel and Chelsea hadn't just taken my job; they were trying to destroy my rep

f my ruined portfolio-it was all too much. My chest tightened, and I couldn'

as a faint, distant voice.

ut through the darkness. It was a voice I

miliation had reached him. He ha