Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband? novel Chapter 209

Montgomery Manor

Mila spent the entire day at the old manor, staying close to her mother-in-law, Felicity, accompanying her in everything she did. They chatted, laughed, and painted together.

Felicity was a renowned artist, known especially for her breathtaking landscape and animal paintings. Her works were so vivid and dynamic that they seemed to transport viewers directly into the scenes she depicted.

In the spacious studio, the white curtains swayed gently in the breeze, and sunlight streamed through the glass. Amidst this serene backdrop, two vibrant and graceful women sat at the center of the room. Before them stood an easel with a rectangular canvas, where shades of white, gray, and black came to life under Felicity’s brush.

Mila watched quietly as Felicity painted with concentration. Before long, a winter landscape emerged on the canvas—a lonely, Western-style turret standing amidst a barren forest. The leafless trees were filled with nests, and numerous crows perched on the branches, their wings poised as if ready to take flight.

As Mila's gaze dropped to the corner of the canvas, she noticed a single crow lying lifeless in the snow, its dark eyes staring into the gray-white sky. The painting captured a delicate balance between vitality and melancholy.

Mila instinctively furrowed her brow. She understood art, and her skills and intuition rivaled many. She could easily discern the emotions and struggles behind each painting. Over the years, Mila had thought Felicity's state had improved significantly—she laughed, played, and maintained a rare childlike purity for her age. It was hard for anyone meeting her for the first time to imagine that this beautiful, gentle woman had battled years of depression.

Yet, Felicity's artwork remained unchanged. The fine line between life and oppression revealed a persistent struggle.

"Mom, your animals always look so alive," Mila remarked, her fingers hovering over the canvas where the crow lay, tracing its form in the air. "Why not try painting people?"

Felicity had such a gift for capturing life, yet Mila had never seen her mother-in-law paint a human figure. She had been curious for a long time.

Felicity gently set down her brush and gazed at the crow in her painting, a soft smile gracing her lips. "I never understood people, so I could never paint them."