Those memories crashed into me like a tidal wave, blending with the cruel reality in front of me.
Maybe it was the tumor messing with my mind. Maybe that’s why everything felt so blurry and surreal.
“Be good, little sister,” he said, his tone soft but laced with threat. “All I’m asking is that you paint a few more pieces. I’ve taught you for years—it’s time to see what you’ve really learned.”
He was right. He taught me how to paint. I owed everything I knew to him.
So if he asked me to pay him back… how could I say no?
He led me into the basement storage room, where abandoned easels gathered dust.
Darell’s voice was calm as he said, “Margot and I will be staying in the country for the next two months. During that time, you won’t have to do anything else. Just paint.”
“I’ll have food and clothes brought to your room. When you’ve turned in work I’m satisfied with—when your debt is paid—I’ll give you money, and we’ll be done,” he added with a blank face.
It hurt. Like every nerve in my body was screaming.
But I kept my head high, stared straight back at him, and said, “We’ll be done? Fine. I’ll paint for you these two months—and after that, we’re even.”
It wasn’t such a bad deal.
A fair trade, almost.
He gave a cold nod. “That’s more like it. That’s the sister I know.”
Just then, his phone rang. He answered, and a sticky-sweet female voice came through the line.
“Darell, when are you coming back? I cooked a whole meal just for you. I even made your favorite—spicy crawfish. But I burned my hand in the process. You’ve been gone forever just to grab your ID. I miss you.”
Darell’s cold expression melted instantly, his voice tender. “I’m already on my way back, baby. Why didn’t you tell me you got hurt? I’ll take you to the hospital as soon as I get home.”
He didn’t spare me a glance as he walked out, and the door to the basement clicked shut—and locked.
There were no windows.
Facing a blank canvas, I picked up the brush, and the first stroke landed with a hollow sound.
That night, I tore up painting after painting, until the tears ran out and all I felt was empty.
Regina's POV
I don’t even remember when I closed my eyes. Maybe I passed out as the illness had gotten that bad.
When I finally woke up, Darell was standing in front of me, face like a thundercloud.
“This is what you call keeping your word?” he snapped, eyes sweeping over the mess on the floor. “You just made a mess here!”