Randi looked down at her unwrapped hand, and something shifted deep inside her.
Not validation. It was something quieter. and more personal.
Someone had seen it. Truly seen it. She felt exposed again, violated again.
Across the room, Brew remained still. Saying nothing. Revealing nothing. But the weight of the moment settled heavily within him. Somehow, he knew what that revelation cost her. He recognized it immediately. It was textbook with patients who suffered loss of a limb. Instead of walking away, he wanted to swoop her into his arms but knew he couldn’t. TheDoctor/Patient Code was his barrier.
Claire continued, her tone disconnected and bland, like she needed to end it.
“Your exhibit will continue the length of your contract. Take pleasure in knowing at least the public supports and loves your creations.”
Randi looked at her blindly.
At least.
Claire reached out, giving her shoulder a forced and rigid pat.
“Just focus on … on that.”
She turned without another word, never once looking at Brew in passing.
After she left, the room fell quiet again.
Different now. Randi felt like a vacuum just sucked all the air from the room.
Randi looked up at Brew.
He hadn’t moved.
Hadn’t spoken.
But something in his expression had changed.
Subtle.
Guarded.
Yet… present.
“You already knew,” she said softly, “didn’t you?”
He didn’t answer right away. Nor did he lie. He moved in closer, this time close enough to touch her.
“Yes. She called this morning, asking if it was a good time to visit and share some spectacular news. I’m sorry about the self-portrait. “
He wanted to tell her that it was him who purchased it, and how much he admired her talent, and the piece. He knew now wasn’t that time.
She ignored what he had said. It didn’t matter. What did, was her reaction to her hand.
“She tell you what that news was.”
“Yes.”
“Did you warn her about this?” She lifted her hand, pointing it directly at him.
“I did.”
“Her reaction is exactly why I didn’t want visitors.”
