Chapter 38

When Grayson climbed up to the attic, he was surprised to find it transformed into an art studio. Paintings were everywhere on the walls, the floor, even stuffed into cabinets. The sheer beauty of the artwork left him stunned and rooted to the spot as he took it all in.

"What are you doing here?" Serena's voice snapped him out of his daze. He turned to see the tiny figure with crossed arms looking suspiciously at him from behind.

"Who painted these?" Grayson asked, gesturing at the paintings.

Serena gave him a look, her tone sharp. "My mom did. Why?"

Grayson froze for a second, his expression shifting to one of disbelief. Then he frowned and scoffed, "She? Seriously?"

He couldn't wrap his head around it. 'No way that's true,' he thought. 'I've never seen her pick up a paintbrush.'

"Of course she does," Serena shot back, her chin tilting up in defiance. She pointed around the room with

a small sweep of her arm and explained, "All of them are my mom's work. She's amazing. Loads of people want to buy her pieces."

But Paisley never sold her paintings. She only gave them away.

just a housewife, someone who cooked and nagged me. Even Grandma and Auntie Kayla

to admit what he saw. "I don't buy it," he said, his tone defiant. He had never seen Paisley paint, and he

don't you believe me? I'm telling the truth. All of these are Mom's work!" She pointed toward a corner of the room and added, "Look, those are all portraits

little girl at different ages: a newborn with closed eyes, a baby learning to crawl,

at a different moment, preserving her

she tried to make him understand.

stared at the paintings, stunned into silence. Without thinking, he blurted out,

and replied, "You have nothing left. Stella

of her mom's hard work being destroyed made Serena's chest tighten with sadness. "Just

the one," Serena

upon entering the room. That was why Serena recognized Grayson the second she saw him. But sadly, it was

about some stupid painting? I don't even want it!

down the

and cut him off in the living room. "Take that back! My mom's paintings are not ugly!" Her face

mom like this? Mom even said he was

ugly! They just are! She's ugly, and her paintings are even uglier!" Grayson yelled, his voice rising to drown out the storm of feelings he couldn't control. Tears

the most beautiful woman in the world!" Serena screamed back. She didn't care if she was yelling-she needed

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