Chapter 3

When I arrived at the studio, Serena’s assistant was carrying out my belongings, trip after trip. Everyone looked grim, whispering.

“Why’s he here? I hate it when freeloaders show up!”

“Seriously, we’re swamped, and now we have to cater to him!”

“Jasper is so much better. His paintings are beautiful, and he’s so kind. I think he and Ms. Walsh are a perfect match!”

I listened to all of it expressionlessly, but only I knew the ache in my chest. All those nights I spent working overtime with them, and in their eyes, I was just a freeloader, a difficult boss! The assistant shot them a look, and everyone instantly fell silent.

I strode towards Serena’s office, determined to get an explanation. But the assistant blocked my way, looking conflicted. “Mr. Vance, Jasper Reed is in Ms. Walsh’s office, creating. You’ll disturb them if you go in now.”

I pushed past the assistant, heading straight for Serena’s office door. My hand gripped the doorknob, and then familiar voices filtered through.

“Serena, I’m out of inspiration lately. Why don’t you model for me?”

Through the crack in the door, I saw Serena’s hesitant gaze, her teeth biting down on her lower lip as she pondered. Jasper added fuel to the fire. “You’ve always been my muse. If you model, I know I can paint another masterpiece that will astound the world!”

She no longer hesitated. As my pupils dilated, Serena slowly began to shed her clothes. She sat naked before Jasper Reed, not a stitch on.

She was modeling nude!

My hand on the doorknob trembled uncontrollably. It trembled so much I didn’t even have the courage to push the door open.

“After all these years, Serena, you’ve become distant from me. Did you get a boyfriend and just forget about me?”

At his words, panic instantly flashed across her face. She quickly explained, “How could I? I always remembered you, Jasper. Being with Julian Vance was just because he was so much like you, and also a painter!”

My body reacted before my mind. A wave of physical nausea washed over me. I swallowed the bitter truth with difficulty, like a wooden puppet, stiffly dropping my hand from the doorknob.

I thought, even if our ending wasn’t ideal, at least we had truly loved each other. But reality mocked my naiveté, delivering a harsh slap to my face. Serena had always seen me as Jasper Reed’s substitute! The truth was too sudden, too cruel. I stood frozen by the door for a long time, forcing myself to calm down.

The moment I let go of that doorknob, I let go of you, Serena.

On the taxi ride home, I accepted the long-standing invitation from a curating studio. I granted them full authority to manage The Master’s artwork. When they asked what my demands were, I took a deep breath. “I want the exhibition to be held in two days.”

“And explicitly state that it’s an exclusive exhibition of The Master’s works, and that The Master will be personally present to give a talk.”

Two days from now was also Jasper Reed’s exhibition. He wants to be The Master? Fine. Let’s put on a real vs. fake exhibition and let everyone decide!

That night, I met with the studio’s curator, discussing everything at length. When I got home, Serena, who I thought was out, was already seated on the sofa. The moment I walked in, I was met with her furious questions.

“Where have you been messing around again, you didn’t even make dinner!”

“Why aren’t you speaking? Are you mute?”

She grew increasingly impatient, standing up and walking over to me. Her face hardened, and she asked with a cold frown, “Why do you smell of another woman’s perfume?!”

It must have rubbed off when I was discussing things with the curator. But Serena’s behavior was utterly ridiculous. A mere perfume scent, and she’s furious, when she’s been far worse than me!

“What, you’re allowed to be a nude model for someone else, but I can’t even get close to another woman? Serena Walsh, how can you be so hypocritical!”

Her face visibly contorted, a flicker of panic in her eyes. “So what? That was work! Sacrificing for art! Don’t think such dirty thoughts!”

“Don’t you trust me?”

Looking at her eyes, filled with a hidden guilt, avoiding my gaze, I nodded. My voice was firm. “No, I don’t trust you.”

“When I said we were breaking up, I wasn’t kidding.”