The price of her heart

could catch her breath. The weight of Julian's words hung in the air like a

talking and laughing. Everything here felt foreign, like a world she had n

ing. The offer was tempting. No, it was more than tempting. It was everything she had ever dreamed of: fame,

er in, making it hard to think straight. She knew he was watching her closely, studying

now if I'm ready for this," she said, her voice soft b

know it's overwhelming. But I can help yo

here. She had worked every day, every night, to be seen, to be heard. But now that she was sta

arely above a whisper. "What if I can't keep up

omehow reassuring. It made her heart race even more. "You won't lose yourself. I w

he perfect façade he seemed to wear. But there was nothing. His gaze was steady, s

med of this life. She had always wanted her art to be more than just paintings on a wall. She ha

he said quietly, "but I also don

ll but knowing. "Then

on she had ever had to make, but she knew what she

eady, even though her heart was poun

nt, the mask of calm and control slipped, reve

" he promised. "This

-

er to meet with some of the most important people in the art world-people she had only ever dreamed of meeting. She had signed a few contracts

through every step, offering advice, making connections. But he also expected something from her in retu

just another pawn in Julian's game? But whenever she doubted him, she would think back to that night at th

yes. The space was massive, filled with elegant walls and carefully lit artwork. Her paintings hung on the walls next to the

at she had always wanted

thing was perfect. His presence was reassuring and overwhelming at the same time. Every time he was near

er paintings. His voice was cold and low, but it sent a shiver down Avery's spine. "This is

Thank you," she said, though part of her still felt like she was

looked at her. "You're welcome. But remem

him. She had made the decision, and now there was no going back

id, her voice soft b

-

m the media. The pressure to succeed was building every day, and she was still unsure of how much she could handle. But with every new opp

guiding her, making decisions for her, shaping her career. Sometimes, Avery couldn't tell where his control e

ing voice, she felt her heart skip a beat. She knew it was dangerous. She k

d taken it. Now, she had to decide how much