The price of her heart

ft hum of the fluorescent lights above seemed to echo in her ears. Her stomach churned with nerves, but she forced herself

t her work. People wandered past, heads down, eyes flicking over the paintings as if

spent years learning, working, saving, and fighting for this momen

check it. It was probably her mother, worried about her health, or her younger siste

ress

ad entered the gallery unnoticed. He was tall-almost too tall-dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His sharp featur

?" Avery asked, bl

eaving hers. "The painting," he clarified, hi

looked at her work like that before. She wasn

sness show. She wasn't used to attention, especially from

ng on her as he studied the piece.

brant colors, depicting the mountain range from her childhood home. She had poured ever

ou've captured something raw, real." He paused and looked at

e felt awkward under his gaze. "You

to a half-smile. "

replied, her voice

irm but not overpowering. "It's

e, one of the most influential people in the city. She had read about him in the newspapers, seen him at

asked, trying to act normal de

n't need anything. But I do

urrowed. "What

"You have potential. A lot of it. But you're stuck in this small world.

"I'm not sure

a deal. A chance for your work to be seen by the right peo

r composure. "I'm not sure I can accept

t's simple. I have connections-people who would pay top dollar for

a dream, yet she couldn't shake the feeling tha

return?" she asked,

you to be my personal artist. You'll paint for me, whenever I

skipped a be

tion. The less people know abo

mething about him-his confidence, the way he c

she asked, tryi

you'll get everything you want in return. Money

eath caugh

cost. If you accept, you'll owe me. Your time. Your heart. Your loyalty. Bu

ing. She was being offered everything she had ev

he asked again, her v

everything you've ever wanted. But you'll give me something