Chapter 137: Epilogue Part 1

6 years later…..

My fingers traced the worn frame of the photograph hanging on the plain white wall. A simple black-and-white capture: a lone tree silhouetted against a fiery sunset, its branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. It evoked emotions that felt like a lifetime ago, not the picture itself.

"Just making sure, Lily," a soft voice broke through my reverie. "Tomorrow's the big day, you know. Your fifth exhibition and your first appearance."

I chuckled, glancing to my left. A beautiful woman stood beside me. Her closely cropped hair, a riot of ebony curls, framed a face that, though small, held a radiant warmth. Her skin, a rich, warm brown, seemed to glow with an inner light.

"Tenth time this week, wouldn't you say?" I asked.

She grinned, a flash of white against her warm brown skin. "Maybe. But this is different. People are buzzing about you, Lily. The mysterious artist finally makes an appearance after four years."

My gaze swept across the gallery, taking in