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But it certainly is, and she saw me finish it

Eleanora seele as she passes the sketchbook back

The rest of the day, I can't stop drawing The pages ofthicker, filled with little drawings of things around the house I'ot the chance to work on one when I was living at home But the desire to continue alone to bed, and locked the door of my prison behind her, I set up a station to paint in the salon

I rey and stare at the empty canvas I don't need to think aboutto appear on the blank canvas before I touch the brush tip to it

Adrian's ie co on to his face, his lips, his shoulders I leave the eyes for last because they will be the hardest to paint Not because I'm afraid I won't do the in fear and I'

The eyes take two hours, and by the tiain She sees h I catch her stealing glances atmy rooms

I continue painting until I' loudly about skipping breakfast and dinner I finish up, but I can't bear to look at the painting for longer than a second I quickly put it away to dry and avert aze any time I walk by it while Eleanora prepares lunch for me

When I reach for a piece of bread, her fingers wrap aroundher lower lip

"What is it?"

She doesn't answer Instead, shefrom her apron

An envelope