His Beautiful Lies, My Shattered World

re'

of Aria' s songs-one of my songs-playing softly from the built-in spe

up to you," he said, flashing a

, "I changed my mind. I think I' d l

er of something-annoyance? panic?-crossed his face bef

e? You seemed so ex

"I want to be there for my sis

rse. We' ll just pop in for a little while

w overshadow his precious Aria. He didn' t want the real artist stand

was a farewell to my entire family, to the life I was about to leave behind forever. Tomorrow,

und Aria, who stood like a queen in the center of the grand hall, one hand resting proprietorially on h

ius!" one c

ce. It' s a shoo-in for the gr

on Gabriel' s arm, her smile tightened for a split second. A shadow pas

ing with false sincerity. "I was worried you were still holed up in t

while she was the celebrated artist. I ignored her, my eyes dr

ed over me. It was li

rmy sea, the waves crashing in a violent, chaotic spray. The sky was a swirl of bruised purples and ang

hown it to anyone. It was locked away in a storage unit, alo

d it g

name on a small brass plaque beneath it? How

ips. She glided over to me, her voice a low, mocking whisper mea