Ch. 52
Three days passed since Selene first visited the small art studio.
Classes were done for the holidays, and the air smelled faintly of rain that soft, cold kind that kissed the skin and turned the city lights into gold reflections.
Her car slowed down in front of the same narrow street from before. The studio stood there, still humble, still overlooked by most people passing by.
Yet to Selene, it was warm, familiar.
When her driver opened the door, she stepped out gracefully, umbrella in hand, her white sweater and beige skirt neat as ever.
Some bystanders stared again at the luxury car parked outside such an old shop. But Selene didn't care.
Inside, the faint scent of oil paint and varnish filled the air.
The painter Miss Elara, looked up in surprise.
"Miss Valen! You're back!" she exclaimed, brushing off her apron.
"I was about to call you. The paintings are finished."
Selene blinked softly. "Already? That was fast."
Elara smiled shyly.
"I couldn't stop once I started. It's not every day someone requests a painting like this."
She unveiled the portraits carefully first, the one of Selene's mother.
The delicate brushwork captured her mother's serene smile and graceful posture, the soft glow of the background bringing the painting to life.
Then, the second one revealing the Valen Family Estate and the Valen Enterprises Main Building in one breathtaking view.
The brushstrokes were gentle yet confident, the color palette soft but powerful morning light glimmering across the glass panels of the building, and behind it, the estate surrounded by a field of white roses.
Selene's lips parted slightly.
It was exactly how she pictured it.
"I wanted it to look like a memory," Elara said quietly, almost shyly.
"Something that reminds people of home and legacy at the same time."
Selene nodded, her eyes still fixed on the painting. speechless
"It's beautiful. My parents will love it."
Her tone was calm, but there was a rare warmth behind her words the kind that only appeared when she thought of family.
Elara smiled, looking both relieved and touched.
"Thank you. I was worried I couldn't do justice to your description."
Selene took a moment, then reached into her purse and handed over an envelope.
"Ah— Miss Valen, this... this is too much." Elara blinked.
"It's fair," Selene said simply.
"You worked hard, and you finished something beautiful in just a few days. Consider it not just payment, but appreciation."
Elara's throat tightened, her fingers trembling around the envelope.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Really... thank you."
Selene gave her a small, approving smile, then glanced back at the painting.
"Oh and don't forget to sign it. Lower left corner."
"Huh?"
"Your signature," Selene said simply.
"It's your work. You should always claim it."
Elara nodded, eyes glistening.
"Yes... I will."
As Selene left the studio, the sky began to drizzle again. She walked toward her car, holding the umbrella gracefully, her expression serene, not knowing she had just changed someone's destiny.
Inside the small shop, Elara stared at the payment envelope and then at her paintings. Something stirred in her chest the confidence she hadn't felt in years.
That night, she signed her name on the paintings.
And with that small act of courage,
a new name began its journey one that, in time, would rise to be known as the city's most promising painter.
Meanwhile, Selene, seated quietly in her car, looked out at the city lights and thought,
"I think Mom and dad would've loved this painting."
A faint smile touched her lips as the car drove away.
The Valen estate shimmered with golden light that Christmas Eve.
Garlands and crystal ornaments sparkled along the grand staircase, and a towering Christmas tree stood in the center of the living hall its branches heavy with white roses, gold ribbons, and soft glowing lights.
Selene walked in quietly, carrying carefully wrapped boxes in her arms.
The warmth that filled the house was different tonight not just from the fireplace crackling at the far end, but from the laughter echoing through the rooms.
Her grandmother immediately turned at the sound of her heels.
"Ah, my dear Selene! You're here," she said joyfully, waving her over.
"Come, come! We've been waiting for you!"
Selene smiled gently, stepping closer as everyone gathered near the tree.
"Grandma, this one's for you," Selene said, handing a box wrapped in pale blue paper.
Inside was the delicate tea set she had chosen fine porcelain painted with her grandmother's favorite flower, white camellias.
Her grandmother's eyes softened.
"Oh, Selene... this is beautiful," she said, voice trembling a little.
"You remembered my old set broke last year."
"I did," Selene replied simply, smiling.
Then she turned to her grandfather and handed him a long box.
Inside was the custom walking cane it was a dark mahogany with his name engraved in gold on the handle.
The old man chuckled deeply, impressed.
"Now this! This is a gift worthy of a Valen!" he declared, twirling it playfully.
Selene laughed softly, her chest warm.
Finally, she placed a rectangular box before her father.
"This one's for you, Dad," she said.
Her father looked curious as he removed the cover and froze.
It was the painting of the Valen Family Estate and Company Building, bathed in the light of morning, painted with such emotion it almost looked alive.
For a long moment, he didn't speak.
Then his hand moved slowly across the frame, his expression softening into something rare and pride, and a deep, quiet gratitude.
"This..." he said, voice low, "This is the heart of our family."
He looked up at his daughter, eyes filled with warmth.
"Thank you, Selene."
Selene smiled, eyes glinting softly.
"I thought it would look good in your office."
"It will," he replied with a faint chuckle. "Right above my desk."
Her mother, moved by the gesture, hugged Selene from behind.
And for the first time in a long while, Selene didn't stiffen or hesitate, she leaned in.
Then, with a small smile, Selene turned to her mother.
"And this one... is for you, Mom."
Her mother blinked, surprised. "For me?"
Selene nodded and handed over the final box.
When her mother opened it, the entire family fell silent.
It was a portrait of her painted with elegance and warmth, her mother's face captured mid-smile, her eyes bright and full of life.
The woman covered her mouth, touched beyond words.
"Selene... this– this is me."
Selene smiled softly.
"You always look beautiful, Mom. I just wanted you to see it too."
Her mother's eyes glistened. She reached out and hugged her daughter tightly again.
"Thank you, sweetheart. This means more to me than you know."
Later that night, after dinner and laughter filled the halls, Selene didn't forget the people who worked quietly behind the scenes.
Before everyone left, she made a few calls and arranged bank transfers to each driver, maid, and gardener who served their family.
"It's just a little something for Christmas," she said, her tone gentle but formal.
The staff were startled, exchanging glances. Her grandmother blinked in surprise.
"Oh my, you even prepared something for them?"
"They're part of this family too, aren't they?"
Her grandmother smiled wide, utterly touched. The room filled again with laughter and warmth as everyone shared stories and desserts.
The topic soon turned to where they'd celebrate the New Year. Her grandfather suggesting a quiet resort,her grandmother dreaming about Switzerland, and her father talking about taking everyone abroad for an "international holiday."
Selene sat back, watching their joy, her chest swelling with emotion.
Her heart felt so full it almost ached.
For a moment, Yuna the girl inside her— forgot about the world she came from.
Her fingers curled around her cup of cocoa as she smiled quietly to herself.
"If this is just a dream," she thought,
"then please... don't wake me up."
Because this was her first Christmas with no papers, no loneliness, no silence.
Just warmth, smiles, and love.
For the first time, Yuna didn't feel like she was just living in someone else's story.
It was the first time she truly felt