Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Shattered Hand: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 14

My solo sculpture exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York was the talk of the town. The art world was buzzing."The Rebirth series is breathtaking… a testament to the resilience of the human spirit," one critic wrote.Alexander stood by my side, looking sharp in a tailored suit, his presence a quiet source of strength."Isabella, congratulations," he whispered in my ear. "Your work is going to change lives.""I wouldn’t be here without you," my voice thick with an emotion I was still learning to name again. It was more than gratitude; it was peace.Just then, the auctioneer announced the most shocking news of the night. "The centerpiece, Rebirth from the Cocoon, has sold for an incredible five million dollars! The buyer wishes to remain anonymous, but the bid was placed from an IP address originating in… Chicago."My blood ran cold."A buyer from Chicago?" I gripped Alexander’s hand, my knuckles white."Don’t worry," he soothed, his thumb rubbing circles on my skin. "It’

I spun around.Vincent stood in the doorway, so thin he was almost unrecognizable. A wraith in a tattered black overcoat. His hair was a mess, his eyes were sunken, and his cheeks were hollowed out by what looked like years of suffering packed into one."Vincent?" I stared at him, my mind refusing to process it. How was he here? Wasn’t he in prison?"Isabella… it’s really you," he staggered toward me, his voice a raw whisper. "You’re alive… thank God, you’re alive…""Stay back!" Alexander immediately stepped in front of me, a protective shield. "Who are you?""I’m her husband," Vincent said, his desperate eyes locked on me, ignoring Alexander completely. "Isabella, I’ve been looking for you for so long…""Ex-husband," I corrected, my voice as cold and sharp as ice. "We’re divorced."“No! I never signed them!” Vincent’s voice was a desperate rasp. “I burned them. By the laws of our world, Isabella, you are still my wife!”"Security!" Alexander pressed an alarm button on the wall. "W