ChapterThirteen
Lily sat at her easel,staring at the blank canvas. Her insides were knotted with so many emotions at once that she thought she’d collapse fromthepain.
“Are you really going to let him win?” Connie asked from behind her. “You’ve been staring at that easel for two days. I can’t stay here and watch you suffer at that man’s will again. You need tofight.”
Lily slammed her brush down on the table. “How? Heownsme.”
Connie pulled a chair out and sat by her side. “You’re my sister and I love you, so I want you to know that what I’m about to say I’m saying out of love andconcern.”
Lily gave her a sideways glance but didn’t sayanything.
“You’restupid.”
“Thanks. Glad you love mesomuch.”
Connie moved to the edge of her seat. “I’m serious. You’re stupid for letting that man ever convince you that you lack talent. You’re stupid for letting him come in here and dictateyourlife.”
“You heard him. I don’t have achoice.”
“And you’re stupid for believing him. You know he’s a lying jerk, yet you aren’t even questioning if what he said was true or not. Have you read that contract? Have you tried to verify if it’s binding?” Connie gripped her hands. “If you want to fight, I’m pretty sure we can find alawyer.”
“Iknow,but—”
Connie held up her hand. “And one more thing. You’re stupid for letting Josh go when he obviouslylovesyou.”
The knots in her belly uncoiled as blood raced through her with hope and fear. “He doesn’tloveme.”
“Oh, really? Then why do you think he stuck around the last fewweeks?”
Lily rubbed her temples. “Because he needed that drawing.” The drawing she couldn’tgivehim.
“As I said, you’re stupid.” Connie grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Wake up or you’re going to lose everything and end up back where you were a two years ago. It’s time for you to let go and trustanotherman.”
Lily shook out of her sister’s grasp and bolted from the chair. “What are you talkingabout?”
“The fact that you won’t complete that drawing no matter how much time and effort you putintoit.”
Lily threw her arms up in the air. “Don’t you see? That’s why I have to go back. I can’t paint or sketch. Stephon says he can fix me, that I’ll be able to paintagain.”
Connie quirked an eyebrow at her. “Do you really think he has that kind of power? That he’ll wave a magic wand and make you suddenly be able to create artagain?”
Lily collapsed onto the couch. “I know. I guess deep down I always knew I was done. I have to return for the show, but I already know that when Stephon bleeds me for every last cent he can, he’ll send me awayagain.”
“Then don’t go. Don’t lethimwin.”
Lily dropped her head in her hands as tears pricked the corner of her eyes. “Healreadyhas.”
Connie dropped to her knees in front of Lily. “You still don’t see it,doyou?”
“Seewhat?”
“That Steven has nothing to do with thatpicture.”
Lily shook her head, tears streaming downherface.
“It’sJosh.”
She swiped the tears from her cheeks. “What are you talkingabout?”
