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Daniel begins photographing the canvases.

Camilla closes her folder.

“I want to reinforce that the initial enquiry brought your work to my attention, Alice, but that did not secure your place in my auction. Nothing like that ever will, other than the quality of the work itself.” Her eyes hold mine. “Please don’t forget that whenever we are considering pieces for auction.”

She’s considering the future. Oh my fucking God, she’s already considering the future.

The words land more powerfully than praise.

When we’re done and Daniel is packing up, Camilla stands at the studio door, her eyes still on my work.

“The market enjoys a story. But a story creates lasting value only when the work screams it out loud,” she says. “This does. Well done, Alice.”

My heart falters. I’m still processing her words as Camilla and Daniel leave.

She saw it. The truth.

She saw me.

I lean against the front door when it’s closed behind them. I breathe so deeply, I worry I’m going to hyperventilate.

Surreal. So surreal.

I creep back upstairs with shaky legs. Head back into my studio.

The triptych waits beneath the lights, unchanged by Camilla’s decision and yet transformed by it completely.

I did it. I created it. Highlighted it. Refined it. Gave it its voice.

But Jack and Bryce’s soul and essence are in there too. All three of us.

Jack opened the door to Camilla. Bryce helped me remember the artist I once believed I could become.

But that doesn’t change the fact that, today, as I faced the verdict, I stood here alone.

I defended every layer, every fracture and every bend in the black line. When Camilla warned me the work could fail, I didn’t apologise for it.

The paintings secured their place.

I secured mine.

My hand is trembling as I open the message thread with Jack and Bryce.

She said yes.

Bryce replies first.

I knew she would. I’m so proud of you!

Then Jack.

Obviously. She was always going to. What was the reserve?

My fingers are still shaking.

Three hundred. Estimate of three to four.

I watch the typing icon. I failed by fifty grand, but still, I’m in the catalogue. That’s what counts.