I closed my eyes, feeling exhausted for a moment. Suppressing my emotions, my gaze fell on her swollen lips and I questioned.
"What's wrong with your lips?"
She was stunned, instinctively revealing a hint of guilt. After mumbling something like "a mosquito bite," she leaned in and spoke softly.
"Look, don't you still care about me? Honey, I happen to have something else to discuss with you."
The gentleness I hadn't seen in a while now appeared quite disgusting in my eyes. Suppressing my words, I slightly replied.
"What's up?"
She looked at me timidly, her expression tender and affectionate.
"Isn't it Kilian's art exhibition coming up? The venue almost started funding. Do you think you could help him with the funding?"
"The two of us grew up together and I know his artistic talent. I guarantee you'll make a killing and... "
I could tell she'd already prepared a lot of tricks to convince me.
I, however, didn't want to listen to her lies. As someone who was also a semi-professional artist, I knew Kilian's true talent at first sight.
Only her, still foolishly believing.
"Sure, how much?"
I interrupted her softly, nodding without a second thought.
"Really? Hubby, you're so kind. I'm so lucky to have you."
I smiled at her praising.
"He's your childhood friend and I hit him today, I was wrong."
"Don't worry, this time, we'll make sure the exhibition is a great success."
She went to be his model every day afterwards.
I no longer stopped her and even sometimes took her there in my free time. And for the occasional traces on her body, I only considered them invisible. Unbeknownst to her, I quietly set up numerous cameras.
At first, their locations would be grand outdoor settings. Later the locations became much more diverse.
From hotels to inns and finally to Kilian's house, with many different options.
I set up cameras in every location and watching them being so affectionate, I froze.
"Mr. Arnouts, here is everything I can find out."
Meanwhile, my assistant also helped me uncover a lot of information.
Looking at the various hotel records from two years, I was practically laughing.
My eyes froze as I gazed at the stacks of file folders on my desk.
You two, just wait for a surprise I'll give you in the exhibition.
The exhibition would be opening soon.
"These should be the paintings. I'll leave the framing and arrangement to you."