He Gave Her My Eyes A Story of Final Sight novel Chapter 39

“Mom, do you think Vermilion Gallery will actually work with me? What if they turn me down? I can’t take getting rejected again.”

It had been six months, and the rumors about Patti breaking up someone’s marriage just wouldn’t go away. Every time things started to quiet down, someone would bring it all up again. Her reputation in the art scene was in shambles.

Things got so bad back home that Patti finally took Leila’s advice and came overseas to try her luck.

“In the art world out here, all that matters is talent,” Leila said, trying to reassure her. “No one cares about the rest. I checked into it too. Vermilion Gallery is a big deal. They only work with top artists. If you can get your paintings in there, nobody back home will bother spreading those rumors anymore. Patti, you have to convince the owner today, no matter what.”

Patti nodded.

She glanced at the paintings on the wall and felt her confidence soar. “If this junk can hang here and get a price tag, my work will be a breeze to sell.”

“You’re way more talented than any of these people,” Leila chimed in, piling on the praise.

Right then, a voice came from behind them. “Michel started painting when he was three, won an international award at five, and has been creating for thirty years. His art is priceless. But to you, he’s just another hack, and his work is trash? I can’t decide if you’re clueless or just plain dumb.”

Patti and Leila turned around. A woman in a soft yellow dress stood there, tall and graceful, her long hair flowing down her back, but her face was hidden behind a delicate veil.

Patti’s expression darkened, her irritation written all over her. “Who are you calling dumb?”

Leila decided she wasn’t worth another thought.

Patti crossed her arms and strode forward, her voice full of scorn. “You’ve got some nerve calling me ugly. Let’s see the face you’re hiding.”

Before she could reach Theresia’s veil, her wrist was caught in a tight grip. Then, out of nowhere, a sharp sting spread across Patti’s cheek.

She stumbled back a few steps, and if Leila hadn’t caught her, she would have hit the floor.