All Chapters of Did I Steal My Fiancé’s Ex Identity: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Lisa's POV The gallery was quiet that afternoon. Most of the morning crowd had already left, and the only sounds were soft music playing in the background.I was bent over a table, carefully arranging a series of prints for a new display, when I heard Max’s voice behind me.“You have an eye for this,” he said.I looked up, and he was leaning against the doorway, his camera slung over one shoulder. He had an easy smile. We hadn't run into each other much because he had traveled for a shoot somewhere abroad.“Thanks,” I said, smiling back at him.“I mean it,” he said. “You arrange these pieces like you’re telling a story. Most people just throw things together, but you make them… connect.”I could feel his eyes on me as I continued. “It’s just something I’ve always liked doing,” I said.Max walked over, stopping beside me. “I was wondering if we could talk sometime. Maybe over coffee.”I glanced at him, unsure if he was serious. “You’re asking me out in the middle of the gallery?”He l

Lisa's POV I missed my appointment with Dr. Camille. My alarm began to ring as I was helping Riley hang new lights in the gallery. It was the time I usually left for my therapy, but I was so busy. I felt guilty, but I didn't go.Riley glanced over from her ladder. "Everything good?" "Yeah," I said, forcing a smile. "Just forgot about an appointment." Later that night, as soon as I got home, I slumped on my bed, tired. My phone buzzed against the bedside table. I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head. I felt tired from working late at the gallery today, and all I wanted was to rest. The buzzing didn’t stop. I reached out, knocking over my notebook before finally grabbing the phone.It was Dr. Camille.“Lisa,” her voice was calm but firm, “you missed your appointment yesterday.”I sat up slowly, rubbing my forehead. “Oh… right. I’m sorry, I completely forgot. Things have been hectic at work.”“That’s not like you,” she said. “Are you feeling alright?”I forced a smile even

Lisa’s POVI was at the gallery that morning, standing in front of one of the large windows, when Mara found me. She never really smiled with her teeth. Her smile was always tight-lipped.“Lisa,” she called softly, as she walked up to me with that tight-lipped smile.I smiled back at her. “Good morning.”She gave me a nod back, though it carried the kind of weight that meant she had something else to say. She came closer, her tablet tucked against her arm and a coffee cup in her hand. “I’ve been thinking about the upcoming showcase. We’ll need a new piece from you. Something fresh, something that speaks.”My stomach tightened. “From me?”“Yes.” She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in a way that was both encouraging and firm. “You’ve been here a few weeks. You’ve shown me enough sketches to know you have something inside. I want to see it. The audience wants to see it.”I hesitated, shifting my weight. “I… I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”Mara gave me a patient look. “Artists ar

Lisa’s POVIt had been almost two weeks since the last dream. Two weeks since I had sketched my mother’s face in blood and then painted her smiling as she pinned clips into my hair. Nothing else had come to me. No more flashes. No more restless nights that left me trembling.I should have felt relieved. And in some ways, I did. The dreamless nights let me focus on work at the gallery. Mara had praised my painting, Riley had clapped for me, and Max had looked at me like I had created something extraordinary. It felt good to be seen that way.But at the same time, I was uneasy. Not getting any memory flashes almost felt wrong. At first, it was a relief. Then, it was concerning. Like I had lost something all over again. I tried to push that thought away.Life had to move on.Anyways, the gallery kept me busy and Max asked me out again.He had been patient, smiling at me from across the room whenever I caught him looking, bringing me coffee the way I liked it. That day, he leaned against

Lisa’s POVThe gallery was finally quiet. The guests had gone. The air still had the smell of wine and perfume, but the energy of the evening was still in my chest. My first showcase. People had looked at me and clapped. It felt like I was respected.My fingers ached from shaking so many hands, my cheeks were stiff from maintaining a smile through countless conversations about artistic process and inspiration. The success should have felt exhilarating, but all I felt was drained. My feet felt sore from standing for hours. But it's a good kind of tired, the kind that comes from seeing people connect with something I created. I was packing up my things when Max appeared beside me. "Hey," he said, with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the counter. "You were amazing tonight." "Thanks." I kept my eyes on the desk as I collected business cards from the reception desk. I was organizing, even though they were already neatly arranged. "I was just lucky people connected with