“I see.” I fling a cool smile at Parker. “What would you do if you knew somebody stole them from the real artist?”
Catherine looks at me with bemusement. “That simply isn’t possible. The body of work she’s accumulated over the years shows growth and progression as she matured as an artist. I even saw some of the oldest sketches from when she was a child.”
“How would one prove she didn’t do them?” Lucie says diplomatically. Her eyes dart at me with concern.
Ares also senses the tension and shifts to stand half a step in front of me like a shield.
“As I said, impossible. Besides, I expect Parker to produce even greater works in the future,” Catherine says.
Parker pales a little, but she doesn’t back down, not with Rupert’s arm around her. She nods. “Of course. You can look forward to it.”
Shameless bitch.“Catherine, I hate to tell you this when we’ve just met, but you’ve been deceived. Parker didn’t create any of these paintings. I did.” My voice comes out so calm, it surprises even me.
Parker laughs incredulously, while Rupert glares at me like he’d love nothing more than to rip me into pieces right now. Ares, Lucie and Seb stare at me in shock, then Ares tightens his arm around me in a show of quiet support. Catherine scrutinizes me, her gaze serious. “If this is some sort of joke—”
“No joke,” I say. “It’s true.”
“Can you prove it?”
“I’m not drawing something just to prove myself. I shouldn’t have to do that!” Parker says swiftly.
I almost roll my eyes at her outburst. “That’s ridiculous. Who has time for that? I can prove it with the Passion Series you’re so proud of.”
Uncertainty and doubt cast shadows over her face before she quickly shakes them off. “How?”
“Catherine clearly knows her field, because it’s correct that every piece in the Passion Series is full of pain and rage. They’remypain and rage at the treatment I’ve suffered.”
Ares squeezes my hand, his expression stony. He obviously recalls what I shared during dinner at his parents’ house.
Parker laughs. “Oh my God, that doesn’t prove anything.”
“Parker’s right,” Catherine says quietly.
“Doesn’t prove anythingyet. But every painting in the series has a little secret, something only the creator would know.” I glance at Parker, then step closer to the canvas. “Do you know what it is?”
She scoffs. “Stop making stuff up. You were always jealous of me, and it’s ridiculous you’re taking it so far as to claim these paintings are yours!” Her voice goes almost shrill toward the end.
Catherine frowns. She probably doesn’t want to believe she’s been supporting an imposter. A couple of onlookers have gathered, shooting skeptical glances at me.
I didn’t expect people to believe me blindly, but it’s a little disappointing that they aren’t even open to listening to the truth.
“My wife is not a liar.”
Ares’s firm declaration surprises me. I look at him in shock.
“I’ll personally vouch for her,” he adds, and warmth swirls in my heart.
The disappointment from just moments ago dissipates. With him on my side, the situation doesn’t seem so daunting. Besides, who cares if the others don’t believe me now? I can always prove I’m the true artist later.
“I believe her, too,” Lucie says. “She has no reason to lie.”
Sebastian looks at his wife, then coolly settles his eyes on Parker. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that look.
My heart grows impossibly light as I realize I actually have a team behind me. My confidence soars.Sothisis how it feels to belong.
Catherine looks at Ares, Lucie and Seb for a while, clearly conflicted, then turns to me. “Okay. If you believe there’s a way to authenticate the true creator, why don’t you email it to me? I’ll check it out.”
“No need for email.” I pull out a small pen from my clutch and jot down the painting’s secret on my palm, then show it to her. She furrows her brow. “Is this true?”
