He Buried Me But I Painted My Own Resurrection novel Chapter 22

Eight years, without fail.

“I want to paint again,” Sienna said.

Hunter's eyes lit up.

“That's fantastic! I'll be your agent, name your price. Every resource Artemia has is at your disposal. I've already spoken to Sotheby's, and the gallery at the Pompidou...”

“Hunter,” Sienna interrupted.

Hunter stopped talking.

Sienna held her mug, her thumb slowly tracing the rim.

How could she tell him she had less than a month left to live?

Looking into his hopeful eyes, the words simply wouldn't come.

“I haven't touched a brush in a long time. I'm incredibly rusty,” she said, carefully choosing her words. “I'm afraid... I'll let you down.”

Hunter's voice softened, but there wasn't a hint of hesitation. “I waited eight years for you. I don't care if it takes a little longer.”

“But Sienna, you just need to start. It doesn't matter if it's good or bad, just start painting.”

Sienna didn't reply, looking down at her blurry reflection in the soup bowl.

Hunter pulled his phone from his pocket, swiped a few times, and held it up for her to see.

“There's an exhibition in half a month, the 'New Voice' Contemporary Art Invitational. The judging panel is stacked; even last year's curation director from the Pompidou will be there.”

“Don't overthink it. Just treat it as a warm-up. Paint whatever you want, even if it's just a pile of...” He paused, correcting himself. “Even if you just paint a colored square, I will submit it for you.”

Sienna stared at the screen in silence.

“Sienna,” Hunter put the phone away, his tone growing gentle. “I'm not asking you to prove anything. I just want you to pick up the brush again and paint whatever your heart desires. Let me handle the rest.”

“Do you trust me?” Sienna asked suddenly.

It was a quiet question, but it carried immense weight.

She couldn't even guarantee her own success right now.

“Of course!” Hunter replied without hesitation.

He tossed it onto the table, took a huge gulp of coffee, and started cursing.

“So annoying! I don't give a damn if he's a billionaire or the Pope. Does he really think I'll meet just anyone?”

Sienna couldn't help but smile at his fiery outburst.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing, just some psycho demanding a meeting,” Hunter waved it off, not giving it a second thought.

“I see guys like him all the time. They think money can buy everything, but my time is worth way more than his stupid real estate projects.”

Sienna offered a small smile and didn't press the issue, lowering her head to finish the rest of her soup.

——

Meanwhile, at the Gauthier Group headquarters.

In Grant Gauthier's office, an executive stood before the desk, practically sweating through his suit.

“Mr. Gauthier, Hunter Hale... declined again.”