Maybe it was the extractions, but in those three days Ryan seemed to transform—sweeter-tongued, almost like a different person entirely.
Over the next month he stopped messing around and threw himself into everything with total focus. He not only unlocked his potential, he suddenly “discovered” other talents—after just a few art classes he could compose and paint oil pieces on his own.
Ryan was thrilled, convinced his natural gifts were finally shining through. I, however, found it strange—how had I never seen such dazzling talent before?
His whole style changed. He spent more and more time with Claire. She not only bought him a car, she gave him a studio, and on his birthday she hosted a banquet—calling in every connection she had and introducing him to everyone.
I attended too, but standing in the crowd, I barely recognized the polished, radiant man as my once-hopeless little brother.
Only when Ryan walked over and greeted me did it click.
“Bro, you look great tonight. Thanks for all these years. Soon you won’t have to worry about me at all. Once I finish promoting Claire’s ‘perfect teeth,’ I’m heading to Paris, France for further study.”
“What? That far? You never mentioned this. So sudden—will Mom be okay with it?”
Ryan’s expression looked pained, but his voice stayed unnaturally cheerful. As soon as he heard his own words, he clapped a hand over his mouth—then bit down hard on his own lip!
