𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒✓

fifteen

LILITH

I held the key tightly in my fist as I hurried to the door. My feet lightly tapped on the floor.

Filipa was downstairs and I tried my best to avoid her because I didn't want her telling Lucian that I went into his secret room.

This morning when Lucian left for work, I quickly ate my breakfast and went to his office. Thankfully the key was still in its place.

Just as I arrived in front of the door, I took a deep breath and with shaky hand, I placed the key inside the lock.

It was the right key.

I bit my lip and felt my whole body tremble in nervousness. I didn't even know what to expect. What if it was really some torturing room he had?

I twisted the key and grabbed the knob. I pushed the door open and stepped inside with closed eyes. It was dark.

The curtains must have been closed because it was almost pitch black after I opened my eyes again.

I extended my hand and ran my fingers over the wall, trying to find the switch.

When I successfully did it, I turned the lights on.

As soon as my eyes adjusted to the light, my lips parted.

This is not what I expected.

The whole room was filled with paintings and art supplies. There was a wooden canvas stand in the middle. Bottles with paint and brushes were all over the cabinet next to it.

Despite no one being allowed inside, the room was pretty clean.

There were also canvases all over the place. Some of them hung on the wall and the other ones resting by the walls.

All of them resembled each other and it made me realise that all of the paintings around the house are like these ones.

I never knew that Lucian was an artist.

He never gave off the vibe of being interested in these things.

I would have never imagined.

I took a few more steps and observed everything around me. I took my time in analysing all of the paintings. It was mainly landscapes and abstract art.

After a minute of looking around, I spotted paintings that were covered with a white sheet. I debated for a couple of seconds before I decided to take a peek.

Maybe they were unfinished ones.

Lucian would kill me if he sees me here.

I tip toed to the paintings and crouched down. I grabbed the fabric and pulled it away, not completely because I didn't need Lucian figuring out that I snooped around.

My eyebrows furrowed as I realised it was a woman on the painting. When I took the cover completely off, my eyes widened and I had to steady myself not to fall back.

My fingers loosened and the cover fell down on the floor.

It was me.

The woman on the painting was me.

A lump formed in my throat as I ran my now glossy eyes around the canvas.

The painting was made with warm colours and as if rays of the sun were shining behind me.

My hair was up and I was smiling. A full smile on my face.

Strands of my hair were falling around my face and my scars...