Chapter 8 - The Art Collector’s ShadowBy Sunday evening, the tension in Noah’s living room could have easily cut through reinforced steel.
I stood near the kitchen island, nursing a glass of scotch I didn't want, watching the disaster unfold in slow motion. Lily was sitting across the room in a stunning emerald-green dress that made my chest ache, looking entirely too composed for someone standing in the eye of a hurricane.
Next to her sat Julian Vance—a slick, impeccably tailored art collector in his late thirties with a blinding smile, an expensive watch, and a habit of standing entirely too close to Lily whenever he spoke.
"I’m just saying, Lily," Julian said, his smooth voice carrying across the room as he handed her a glass of champagne, "your piece The Eighth Year has masterpiece written all over it. I’d love to acquire the exclusive rights tonight. Name your price."
Noah beamed from across the room, completely oblivious to the daggers Lily was shooting toward the ceiling. "See? I told you Dad’s connections were legit, Lil! Julian here is a powerhouse in the Portland art scene."
Across the room, Lily’s eyes finally met mine over Julian’s shoulder. There was a silent plea in them—Get me out of here.
I set my glass down hard on the counter, the sharp clack cutting through the polite murmur of conversation. I started walking across the room, every instinct in my body screaming that I was about to detonate every relationship I held dear.
"Actually, Julian," I said, my voice cutting cleanly into the conversation as I stepped directly between him and Lily, "I think Lily’s work isn't for sale. Especially not to someone who doesn't even know what the painting represents."
Julian blinked, his aristocratic smile faltering slightly as he looked me up and down. "And you are...?"
"Ethan," Noah chimed in, walking over with a confused frown. "My best friend. Bro, what are you doing? Julian is trying to make a business proposition here."
"A business proposition," I repeated, turning to face Noah directly, my heart hammering like a jackhammer against my ribs. I looked past Noah to see Lily standing up slowly, her breath catching in her throat.
May you like
"Ethan, don't," Lily whispered, her eyes wide with warning.
"No, I'm done hiding," I said, my voice echoing in the quiet room. I turned back to Noah, looking my best friend dead in the eye. "Noah... I need to tell you something. And you're not going to like it."
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