Beyond the Family's Shadow
Not far away, Julian jogged along the coastline, his large Doberman trotting faithfully at his side.
Even after all these years, time had etched few marks on his face; if anything, it had only deepened his mature charm.
He seemed to sense Elara's gaze and strode towards her.
"What are you painting?" Julian wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder, breathing in the faint scent of paint that clung to her.
"My world," Elara smiled, adding the final stroke to the canvas with her brush.
The canvas held no complex composition. It depicted a vast, boundless sea, a lone seagull soaring with outstretched wings, and on the shore, two figures leaning into each oth