Chapter 7 - THE GALA WHERE HE FINALLY STOOD ALONE
The charity exhibition took place on a Thursday evening.
A small gallery in Chelsea.
White walls.
Soft lighting.
Wine served in plastic cups.
Nothing like the Halcyon Grand.
And somehow, it meant more to me than any gala I'd attended as Dante's wife.
Olivia stood beside me.
“You look nervous.”
“I am nervous.”
She laughed.
“Good. Means you care.”
I wore a simple black dress.
No diamonds.
No security entourage.
No expensive jewelry.
Just me.
The gallery filled slowly.
People stopped before my paintings.
Asked questions.
Complimented the colors.
Discussed the themes.
One woman purchased a small landscape.
I nearly cried.
Someone had paid money for something I created.
Not because of my husband's name.
Because of my work.
At eight, the gallery door opened.
Dante entered.
Alone.
No guards inside.
No entourage.
No expensive watch.
Just a dark suit and an expression I couldn't read.
My heart skipped.
Olivia leaned toward me.
“Want me to throw him out?”
I almost laughed.
“No.”
Dante approached slowly.
“Congratulations.”
I swallowed.
“Thank you.”
He looked around.
“These are beautiful.”
I studied him.
“Which one do you like?”
He considered.
Then pointed toward a painting near the back wall.
A woman standing beneath a storm-dark sky.
Her face turned toward a narrow line of sunlight.
“That one.”
I stared.
“Why?”
Dante looked at it.
“Because she looks like she's deciding whether to stay in the storm or walk toward the light.”
My throat tightened.
I had painted it the week I left him.
He didn't try to buy anything.
Didn't announce our relationship.
Didn't introduce himself to important guests.
He simply stayed for an hour.
Looked at the paintings.
Then approached me before leaving.
“I'm proud of you.”
I smiled sadly.
“Thank you.”
He hesitated.
Then said:
“I know I don't deserve to be part of this.”
I looked at him.
“No.”
He nodded.
“But I'm glad I got to see it.”
May you like
Then he left.
And for the first time, I watched him walk away without feeling abandoned.
