As teenagers, Caspian and I spent three years together in the art studio.
I still remembered when Caspian gave up his place in the family business. It baffled everyone, especially since he’d excelled in all his training.
Caspian had just glanced at me and said he wanted to build a gallery for me.
I remained silent.
Back then, I was too broken to even dare to voice the simplest dreams.
Later, Caspian anonymously submitted a painting I had restored to an exhibition.
He spread the award certificate in front of me, pointing to the words "Anonymous Restorer."
"Don't be afraid, Aurora. See? You're brilliant."
Back then, when sunlight streamed through the studio skylight, he loved to rest his head on his arms on the drawing board, facing me.
One day, as I was mixing pigments, he murmured with half-closed eyes,
"You'll restore the paintings, and I'll exhibit them. We'll never be apart."
We were so young, filled with a genuine hope for what lay ahead.
For a while, I even believed that would be our future.
On the day we were forced to part, it was pouring rain.
When I walked out of the studio, Caspian was already waiting with an umbrella.
Watching the hurried pedestrians, I nudged him.
"Caspian, shouldn't we get going?"
He moved closer, tilting the umbrella almost entirely over me.
"No. I'm not letting you get soaked. You get sick too easily."
My cheeks grew hot. Watching the cars stream past, I felt a pang of sadness.
"Caspian, after this, we won't be able to see each other every day."
He gazed into the hazy rain, a soft laugh escaping him.
"This is just for a little while. It's not goodbye forever."
The rain was too loud; I thought I might have misheard. I had to be sure.
"What did you say?"
"If you didn't hear it, then never mind."
Caspian lifted his chin, a teasing glint in his eye.
He never repeated the words, not until the moment we parted, when he pressed a cold ring into my palm.
Julian poured me a glass of whiskey and gestured with his chin.
"A reunion of old friends. Go on. Give him a toast."
At his words, a shadow flickered across Caspian's normally cool expression.
He reached out, blocking my glass.
"There's no need. She doesn't handle her liquor well."
I blinked hard, fighting the sting in my eyes as I raised the glass.
"It's fine. I'm used to it now."
He paused, then took a glass from a passing waiter and chuckled, his voice low.
"Hm. You've grown up."
The hand Julian had around my waist tightened. He looked down at me, his gaze possessive and mocking.
"Mr. Vance."
He smiled, then leaned in and planted a forceful kiss on my cheek.
"Aurora and I have some private matters to attend to, so if you'll excuse us."
The insinuation in his words was heavy.
My face went pale.
Caspian's hand shot out, grabbing Julian's arm.
Veins bulged on the back of his taut hand.
But when he turned to me, his tone softened dramatically.
"Aurora, do you want to go with him?"
Julian smiled nonchalantly, leaving the choice to me.
"Darling, he's asking you. Do you want to go with me?"
A tremor ran through me, my fingernails digging into my palms hard enough to draw blood.
I was pulled back to reality only when Caspian spoke again.
I could barely meet his eyes, my voice a ghost of a whisper.
"Caspian, we're leaving."
As the words left my mouth, I didn't dare linger.
I took Julian's arm and let him lead me away.
