Chapter 2

Seeing that I wasn't backing down, Julian grew angry.

"Clara, do you have to ruin this now? What are you going to do, march in there and tell everyone you painted it?"

"How are we supposed to keep the gallery open after that? How is Chloe supposed to survive in this industry?"

I hadn't even said another word, and Julian was already losing his mind. It was pathetic.

For five years, Julian and I had poured our blood, sweat, and tears into this gallery.

In this artistic space where creativity met hidden greed, I, the true co-owner, was suddenly reduced to a mere bystander, silently watching everything crumble.

My name no longer mattered. What mattered was that I once thought I had a perfect marriage.

This gallery had witnessed our love story, and now, it was witnessing how our marriage was breaking piece by piece.

When Chloe first arrived, she was just an insignificant intern.

She had dropped out of a community college art program and came straight to our studio.

I hadn't wanted to hire her. She always showed up dressed to the nines, wearing heavy makeup and trendy outfits, but her actual skills never improved.

She constantly spoke with subtle, flirtatious undertones. That fake-innocent, submissive act of hers reminded me of those manipulative starlets who used drama to get ahead.

She knew exactly how to play men, using her soft, suggestive voice to wrap them around her finger.

And Julian was completely defenseless against her "charm."

He began finding every excuse to stay late at the gallery, discussing paintings with Chloe, and even personally teaching her how to copy master studies.

I couldn't understand what was so complicated about basic copying that required his personal, hands-on guidance.

But now, I understood perfectly. Since they were bold enough to pull off identity theft, whatever they did before wasn't surprising at all.

Inside, Chloe finally seemed to finish dealing with the reporters. Lifting the skirt of her dress, she came skipping out toward us.

"Julian, babe! There are so many people in there. I'm completely parched!"

Chloe acted as if I weren't even standing there, throwing herself into Julian's arms.

Julian looked absolutely delighted.

"Thanks for your hard work, Chloe. I'll take you out to a fancy dinner to celebrate once this is over, okay?"

Watching them play their parts, they looked more like a married couple than Julian and I ever did.

Suddenly, Chloe "noticed" me, her eyes widening in mock surprise.

"Oh, Clara! You're here! You're not mad at me, are you? I didn't mean to take your place without asking..."

"I really didn't want to do it at first. I get so nervous in front of cameras! But Julian said it would be much better if I was the face of the brand."

"Clara, please don't be mad. If you want to yell at anyone, yell at me. Don't blame Julian. He's been working so hard lately, we need to be understanding."

Julian immediately comforted her, looking at her with pure adoration.

"Don't worry, Chloe. You're just too sweet and always let people walk all over you. I've already talked to her. You have nothing to worry about."

I watched their little performance, my heart entirely numb.

"Fine. Since you both love playing pretend so much, have at it."

"From this day on, I have absolutely nothing to do with this gallery or my past paintings. It's all on you now, Chloe."

Chloe was just a copycat who only knew how to trace. She had no real talent and could never replicate my creative spirit or style.

I shrugged at them, a cold smile playing on my lips.

"I can't wait to see if you actually have what it takes to handle this crazy stroke of fortune."