Chapter 1

After my grad school application failed, my hands started shaking. My stomach burned with a constant, dull ache, and I couldn't sleep for weeks.

My boyfriend, Julian, told me I just needed to stay busy. He pushed me to apply for jobs.

I lost twenty pounds before I finally landed an offer.

But the night before my first day, Julian gave my job opportunity to his first love, Emily.

"If Emily’s parents hadn't given me the seed money for my startup, I’d still be broke," Julian reasoned. "I would've never been able to help pay for your college tuition."

"We both owe her. Just let her have this one, Georgina."

From that day on, my emotions spiraled completely out of control.

Sometimes I would laugh hysterically for no reason; other times I would sob until I couldn't breathe.

Later, I picked up my paintbrushes again. Only when I buried myself in colors did I feel like I was actually alive.

Today, Julian walked up to me again, his face cold.

"I called you for dinner three times. You ignored me every single time."

The noise in my ears began to screech.

My chest tightened. I habitually reached out to grab my brush and paintbox, but my hands met empty air.

He looked at me with an annoyed sigh.

"Looking for that trash again? I threw it out. I burned your paintings too."

"Emily is the employee of the month now. She just won first place in sales, and she needs space for her trophy. She’ll throw a fit if there's no room."

"Don't be so dramatic. Once I'm done with this busy season, I'll take you on a trip."

With trembling hands, I pulled open the cabinet. There were only faint stains of acrylic paint left. It was completely empty.

Three years. Over a thousand paintings. All gone.

At that moment, I felt something deep inside my soul die.