2025-10-16 03:00:48The grand chandelier cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the polished marble floor as the guests mingled and sipped champagne. The air was alive with the smooth and relaxed tempo, hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter.
The art world elite had gathered to celebrate the latest exhibition from the enigmatic artist, Kai Won Alexander. A Korean American artist who draws inspiration for young artists. People always marveled at how he contrasted the human world with the world and past lives. A large canvas shrouded in velvet cloak, dominated the wall at the center of the room, drawn inward for people's view. The anticipation was palpable as the guests waited for the unveiling. Mia Allison stood at the podium, a microphone in hand, her eyes scanning the crowd with an air of quiet confidence. "Good evening everyone Welcome to the grand gala of Kairos Art Space, join me as we make Welcome of the man of honor of tonight, Mr Kai Won Alexander". "Ladies and gentlemen" he began, his voice smooth and measured, "tonight, I present to you a piece that is very close to my heart. A piece that explores the intricacies of life, the beauty of creation, and the power of the human spirit." With a flourish, the velvet cloak dropped to the floor, revealing the artwork in all its glory. The room gasped in unison as the guests took in the breathtaking drawing of a pregnant woman giving birth in a carriage, rendered in vivid detail and emotion. The drawing seemed to pulse with life, as if the woman's pain and joy were about to leap off the canvas. The guests erupted into applause, and Kai's eyes locked onto a figure in the crowd, a figure that seemed to hold a secret,a figure that would change everything. ~~~ ~~~ The sun was setting over the dusty roads of 1960s Korea. A young artist, Min-ji, sat in her small wooden made studio, pencil in hand, as she brought her latest piece to life. She was drawing her inspiration of how she wanted the future to be, the world around her, and the moment that was unfolding before her eyes. Outside, a car screeched to a halt, and a woman's cries filled the air. Min-ji's pencil moved swiftly across the paper as she captured the scene: a pregnant woman, clutching her belly, giving birth in the backseat of the car. The artist's hands moved with a life of their own, as if the scene was unfolding on the paper before her. The woman's face contorted in pain, her eyes closed, and her fists clenched. The driver, a worried look on his face, turned around to try and comfort her. Min-ji's pencil strokes were bold and expressive, capturing the intensity of the moment. As the last cry of the newborn faded away, Min-ji's pencil came to a stop. She gazed at her drawing, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. This was her art, her way of capturing the future world she wanted around her, and the moments that would made life worth living. Min-ji's eyes lingered on the drawing, and she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. She titled the piece "Life's Unexpected Moment." As she put down her pencil, she heard a knock on the door. It was her best friend, Soo-ah, who had stopped by to see her latest work.
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CHAPTER 64
The metallic door groaned as it opened. Mario stepped into the visitation room, escorted by an officer. The fluorescent lights above cast a dull glow over the gray walls, making the entire place feel lifeless and suffocating. A thick pane of reinforced glass separated some visitors from inmates in other booths, but Mario had arranged for a private attorney room instead. The officer unlocked the inner door and gestured him inside. A few moments later, Lewis was brought in. The moment the officer left and the door shut behind him, Lewis dropped into the chair opposite Mario and leaned back with a scoff. "Look who finally decided to show up." Mario remained composed as he took his seat. "I didn't abandon you, Lewis." Lewis laughed bitterly and shook his head. "Oh, but you did. You forgot about me the moment those prison gates closed behind me. Then again, you're not the one being interrogated every day." "That's enough," Mario said sharply. "No, it isn't." Lewis leaned for
CHAPTER 63
Since the last time I left the nursing home, the words on that painting had refused to leave my mind. Even now, standing in the middle of the exhibition hall, my eyes remained fixed on the portrait hanging before me. Life's Unexpected Moments. A simple title. A simple painting. Yet there was nothing simple about the way it made me feel. Warmth. Joy. Pain. Sorrow. All woven together inside a single canvas. Every brushstroke felt like a fragment of a story. A story that had been haunting me ever since I realized the image from that painting existed in reality. What disturbed me most wasn't the painting itself. It was the fact that I had painted it unconsciously—somewhere between sleep and awareness, somewhere deep inside my mind. A place I couldn't explain. A place that kept revealing things I wasn't supposed to know. The portrait hanging before me was only one of many. The rest remained hidden inside my private studio, locked away from the world. That was the real reason I n
CHAPTER 62
The metallic clang of the prison gate echoed through the visitation area as Lewis was escorted into the room. The orange prison uniform hung loosely on his frame, a sharp contrast to the expensive tailored suits he had once worn with pride. Dark shadows rested beneath his eyes, and for the first time in years, there was no arrogance in his posture. Only exhaustion.A man in a charcoal suit sat waiting on the opposite side of the table. The moment Lewis entered, the attorney rose to his feet. "Mr. Carter." Lewis took his seat without acknowledging him. The lawyer cleared his throat. "My name is Richard Hayes. Your father sent me." That earned a brief glance. "He wants me to represent you." Lewis looked away again. "The evidence against you isn't impossible to challenge," Richard continued. "Your father has assembled a legal team. We can begin working on your release immediately." A hollow laugh escaped Lewis. "Release?" he muttered. "You people still think prison is my bigges
CHAPTER 61
After signing the last document resting on my table among the ridiculous piles of files Logan had asked Lucien to dump into my office, I finally leaned back into my chair with a long breath. I'm done for today at least. The office suddenly felt quieter without the constant flipping of papers and keyboard sounds. Outside the glass walls of my office, Manhattan glowed beneath the fading evening sky, painted in soft amber from the autumn sunset. Its weekend, meaning I could breathe for one day before getting buried alive again next week. I grabbed my coat from the chair and slipped it over my shoulders before leaving the office. The moment I stepped outside, staffs immediately straightened. “Good evening, sir.” “Have a nice evening, Mr. Jones.” Bows followed me through the hallway. Honestly?, I still wasn’t fully used to it. Just weeks ago I was fighting prison food and broken sleep. Now people bowed every time I walked past them. Life was strange as hell. As I entered the elevat
CHAPTER 60
The next morning, Jones quietly pushed open the mansion doors and stepped inside. The massive living room remained calm and silent except for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock hanging across the wall. Morning light streamed through the tall windows, spilling across the polished marble floors. He had barely taken three steps— “Where have you been?” Jones froze instantly. Logan stood near the staircase with his arms folded tightly across his chest, dressed sharply in a dark suit already prepared for the day. His expression alone screamed disapproval. Jones sighed internally. Too early for this. “I stayed over at my girlfriend's place,” he answered honestly while loosening the sleeves of his shirt. Logan’s jaw tightened immediately. “And the car?” Jones blinked once. “What about it?” “I specifically assigned a driver to you and you returned them without your presence.” Jones scoffed lightly. “I took the bus.” “The bus?” Logan repeated slowly like t
CHAPTER 59
The small bell above the restaurant door jingled softly the moment Jones stepped inside. Warm air wrapped around him instantly carrying the rich scent of coffee, pastries, butter and grilled meat. The familiar atmosphere hit him harder than expected. It felt normal. Peaceful. Like stepping back into a life that almost slipped away from him forever. Behind the counter, Max looked up absentmindedly while arranging a tray of pastries. The moment his eyes landed on Jones— He froze. “Holy shit—” The tray nearly slipped from his hands. “JONES?!” Lucas spun around so fast from the coffee machine he almost bumped into a customer. “Yo—” Both men rushed toward him at the same time. Max grabbed him first, pulling him into a rough hug before Lucas joined in loudly. “You idiot!” Lucas exclaimed. “You’re out!” Jones laughed softly for what felt like the first genuine time in weeks. “Yeah,” he muttered. “I’m out.” Max pulled away, scanning his face carefully as if confir
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