2025-10-16 04:54:44Marie stepped into the elevator, her reflection flickering against the mirrored walls as it ascended. The hum of the gallery faded, replaced by soft instrumental music.
When the doors opened, the scent of cedar and oil paint filled the hallway — the scent she’d always associated with her uncle’s workspace. She adjusted her blouse and knocked once before entering. “Marie,” a warm voice called. Her uncle, Kai Won, looked up from a canvas propped against the wall. Light from the tall windows caught the silver in his dark hair. But before she could greet him, another voice made her freeze. “Marie.” Her father. He sat across the room, hands clasped, expression calm but unreadable. Seeing him here — in Kairos Art Space, in her uncle’s office — made her pulse jump. “Dad? What are you doing here?” she asked. Kai Won smiled gently. “He stopped by for a visit. We were just talking about you.” Marie blinked. “About me?” Her father stood, smoothing his tie. “It’s been a while since you came home, sweetheart. I thought I’d drop by since your uncle mentioned your visit.” “Right,” she murmured. “Didn’t expect to find you both here together.” Her uncle chuckled. “Family reunions have their surprises.” Marie forced a smile, though tension coiled in her stomach. She hadn’t seen her father in months — not since their last argument about her “wasting time with paints instead of pursuing a stable career.” Sensing the unease, Kai Won changed the subject. “Come, Marie. I wanted to show you something.” He turned toward a large canvas behind him, half-covered by cloth. With a slow pull, he unveiled it — a man dressed in a black silk robe with wide sleeves, silver threads glinting at the hem. A gray sash bound his waist, and a dark hat shadowed his face. Around him floated scrolls of paper and watching figures — an ancient Korean scene where kings once celebrated artistic brilliance. Marie stepped closer, drawn in by the painting’s quiet power. “It’s beautiful.” Her father studied the work. “You still paint the past,” he said quietly. “The past never really leaves us,” Kai Won replied. Alexander’s brow furrowed. “Hmm. Well, I’ll leave you both to your paints and plans for the exhibition.” He gestured to the canvas with a half-smile. “I’m guessing I’ll see you at dinner?” Marie blinked. “Dinner? You didn’t tell me.” Kai glanced at her. “I was going to, once he left.” Alexander arched a brow. “So?” “Yes, I’ll be there,” Kai said. Marie scoffed, folding her arms. “You could’ve mentioned it earlier.” “Now you know.” With that, her father stood and left. His assistant, Carlos, followed with his suitcase. At the door, her father turned back. “I’ll see you at dinner. Goodbye.” The door clicked shut. Marie let out a breath, irritation flaring. “What is he doing here? Why’d you tell him about the exhibition — and that I was coming?” “Whoa, whoa! Relax, fiery bird. One question at a time.” Her glare didn’t waver. “Your father’s my brother,” Kai said patiently. “We talked about business — the construction company. Then he asked about my work. Since he’s one of our associates, I suppose that’s how he found out.” “‘Dignified associate,’ my foot,” she muttered. “He doesn’t even like me painting, and now he’s pretending to be an art lover?” Kai chuckled. “He does love you, Marie. Don’t let his overprotective attitude get under your skin.” “Sure,” she said flatly, rising from the chair. “Let’s focus on something else.” “You mean this?” She pointed to the painting. “Yes. It’s for the exhibition — but in a different dynamic.” “Like storytelling?” He smiled. “Exactly. You’re smart.” “I always am,” she said, rolling her eyes. Kai laughed softly, taking a seat at his desk while her gaze stayed fixed on the painting. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ A man emerged from the elevator, carrying an air of sophistication and quiet authority in his navy-blue tailored suit. His presence drew attention; workers bowed slightly as he passed, his bodyguard following a few steps behind. He paused, scanning the gallery. His lips curved into a subtle smile. When his eyes met mine, I didn’t look away but something in his gaze felt heavy, almost cold. Still, I held his stare until he turned and walked out. I exhaled slowly and returned to the paintings. After what felt like hours, the elevator doors opened again. Marie stepped out, her expression different from when she’d left me quieter, more distant.
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CHAPTER 32
“Don’t—” he said. I looked at him blankly. “Don’t think about it,” he continued. “Whatever that old woman said—dump it. Don’t let it root itself in your head. We’ve got a case now. That’s what matters.” I nodded, though my chest still felt tight.“Aren’t you going to ask what happened?” He didn’t look at me. “I shouldn’t have to ask. You should be telling.” I hesitated. “Spill,” he said. “Barry—the site contractor—was murdered last night. And—” I told him everything. When I finished, the car was no longer moving. I hadn’t noticed when he pulled over. He stared ahead for a long moment before exhaling slowly. Then he turned to me. “Why didn’t you call me?” “I—I tried to talk to Michael—” “Michael isn’t me.” I dropped my gaze. “I was scared. I didn’t want to drag you into my mess.” His voice softened. “It wasn’t your mess. You didn’t do anything. Guilt won’t save you—solutions will.” I nodded. “So what now?” “First, I need to know you’ve told me ever
CHAPTER 31
Johnny slowed as the iron gates of the Walters’ estate rose into view—towering, ornate, unapologetically hostile. He barely had time to kill the engine before armed men stepped out from the hedges, weapons lowered but ready, eyes scanning him like a threat that had wandered too close.He rolled down the window, calm practiced into his bones.“Detective Johnny,” he said evenly. “I’m expected.”No one answered. Minutes stretched. Radios crackled. Then, finally, a nod. The gates parted with a slow, deliberate groan.Inside, the estate unfolded like a private kingdom—manicured lawns, marble paths, silence too expensive to disturb. A butler met him at the steps, crisp and unreadable, and guided him past the house toward the golf garden.Laughter carried on the breeze.Lucien stood with a club in hand, Old Walter beside him, while little Jason chased a rolling ball, giggling as it escaped his reach. The scene was almost disarming—warm, familial, deceptively normal.Old Walter spoke without
CHAPTER 30
The ride to my place was a graveyard of words. Nothing but silence and the weight of everything I couldn’t tell her. She kept glancing my way; I kept pretending not to notice. My head was already drowning in the mess at the site, and the fight at the gala still burned through my veins.The second we stepped in, I pushed the door open too hard and walked straight through the living room. Marie rushed in behind me, breath unsteady.“Jones—stop!” Her hand gripped my arm.I turned, jaw tight, pulse still punching through my throat. I could feel the leftover rage in my eyes, hot and unruly.“You’ve still not given me an answer,” she said. “What was that? And where were you all night? You disappeared for hours—No calls, no text—and then you show up starting a fight?”I exhaled sharply, the memory flashing through my mind. “I didn’t start a fight,” I said, voice low and rough. “He tried to—he tried to touch you and I can’t let that happen. You know me better.… I don’t let anyone touch what’s
CHAPTER 29
‐‐~ Jones ~‐‐Jones forced his shaking hands to grab his phone. The emergency operator picked up immediately, and he gave the location, told them someone was badly hurt, and that they needed to arrive fast.He didn’t stay longer than that.The moment the call ended, he ran through the rain toward Michael’s car. His heart was beating too fast, his thoughts scrambled. He didn’t understand what he saw, or what really happened, or why someone would target Barry of all people.He just knew he needed to get away before he completely fell apart.The tires screeched against the wet road as he sped back toward the event.The closer he got to the exhibition, the more his phone vibrated nonstop in his pocket—but he didn’t check it. He couldn’t. Not yet. His mind was still at the construction site, still seeing Barry drop past the elevator, still seeing the shadowed figure running away.When he finally reached the gallery, he parked carelessly—crooked and half over the line—and rushed toward the
CHAPTER 28
Continuation of chapter one.Kai — Arrival at the GalaThe ride to the Gala was silent, save for the low hum of the engine and the occasional vibration from my iPad. City lights streaked across the window—gold, white, violet—blurring together like an unfinished painting.I scrolled through the final catalog Clara had sent an hour ago: placement charts, lighting corrections, security grids, predicted turnout. My collections glowed on the screen—oil pieces, charcoal sketches, shattered-glass abstracts, fractured portraits. All bound to the theme of the exhibition:Past lives.Reincarnation.Echoes.Memories that didn’t belong to this lifetime.And threaded through nearly every work—subtle, half-hidden, sometimes only suggested in a shadow—was one recurring figure. The same silhouette. The same haunting outline.I still didn’t know who he was. Or why he kept appearing. Or why my hand seemed compelled to paint him, again and again.The thought gnawed at me, but tonight wasn’t for doubt. T
CHAPTER 27
AUTHOR’S NOTE:If you’ve read this far, congratulations — you’re officially one of the mystical art lovers, lol. I hope you’re enjoying this book. I’m truly sorry for the late and delayed update; please accept my sincere apology, guys.AUTHOR’S WARNING:Alright, listen up — things are about to get messy. Like really messy. These last few chapters dive straight into the characters’ past right before the Gala, and trust me, they’re all about to lose their minds in their own special ways.From this point onward, the story shifts. These next chapters will pull you beneath the surface and into the past — to the moments right before the Gala, where everything truly began. The characters you’ve been following will reveal themselves in ways you didn’t expect.Secrets will rot their way to the surface.Identities will crack open.Boundaries will be crossed without hesitation.And the truth behind Kai’s art and Jones’ life will grow darker, sharper, and far more dangerous.These scenes will exp
