Nine

TRIGGER WARNING: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Dani:

It wasn’t just any portrait—it was raw, unfiltered, painted in shades of black and gray. His expression was intense, his eyes filled with something I couldn’t name but had felt in every brushstroke.

Julian studied it for a long moment before glancing at me. “This is Ryan.”

I looked away, my cheeks burning. “It’s just a study. It’s not for sale.”

“Dani,” he said softly, setting the painting down. “This isn’t just a study. This is… remarkable. The way you’ve captured him—it’s intimate, vulnerable. It’s like you’ve painted not just his face but his soul.”

I bit my lip, refusing to meet his gaze. “I wasn’t planning on showing that to anyone.”

Julian nodded slowly, his eyes scanning the room. That’s when he saw the others.

One by one, he pulled them out: Ryan si……