From Canvas to Chaos, The Artist Who Painted Lies

My body was soaked by the rain when my phone suddenly rang.

It was Ethan’s voice on the other end.

“Laura, where did you go? I didn’t see you in the bathroom.”

I held back my sobs.

“I don’t feel well. I want to go home.”

Ethan sighed deeply.

“I already told you! Never mind… Go back if you want. I’ll come accompany you after I finish sending Jessica home. Just be careful on your way back.”

I didn’t say anything else and hung up the phone.

At three in the morning, Ethan returned—reeking of alcohol mixed with Jessica’s perfume.

Twenty minutes before he came back, I had just finished looking at the photos Jessica had sent me.

It was a photo of Ethan sleeping soundly on her shoulder. Ethan tiptoed onto the bed and hugged me from behind.

I hated the rose scent on his body. I hated his clothes. And I hated him even more.

“Laura, is there anywhere else that hurts? I’m sorry for what happened today. Tomorrow I’ll ask Auntie to give you a proper meal. Just stay home and take care of yourself these days, okay?”

His hands were cold—no warmth at all.

“Hmm.”

At this point, I would usually turn around and hug him back.

The sudden change left Ethan a bit unsettled. He remained silent for a long time.

“Laura, it’s okay. Don’t feel so guilty about the child. This illness isn’t something we can control. Rest assured, I won’t leave you alone. After I return to the country for the seventh anniversary, I’ll make it up to you.”

“I haven’t told you yet, but Jessica’s award ceremony is overseas and I’m a bit worried about her going alone, so I might have to accompany her overseas. Don’t overthink it.”

My voice was hoarse and cold.

“Whatever you say.”

Ethan paused again.

I used to be unable to tolerate Jessica’s presence and every time something like this happened, I would become wildly jealous and angry.

But this time, I was unusually calm.

“I’m doing this for the greater good. Don’t be angry. It’s only three days. After three days, we’ll come back and live our lives in peace. At that time, I’ll definitely give you the most unforgettable seventh anniversary. And next time you see Jessica, be friendly and behave yourself.”

Over the past seven years, I had gradually become addicted to his tenderness, never realizing it was a bottomless pit.

The next morning, Ethan was called away by a phone call from Jessica.

He leaned close to my ear and whispered.

“Baby, go to sleep. I’ll be back.”

I didn’t sleep.

I stayed awake all night.

Ethan, I won’t wait anymore.

After he left, I got out of bed and slowly examined this place I had lived in for seven years.

It had taken three years to fill this home—but only three days to erase my presence from it.

I picked up my phone and called my older brother abroad.

“Brother, I don’t want to stay here anymore. I’m coming to find you.”

He seemed to have anticipated this.

“I thought this ticket would go to waste. Come back; everything’s ready.”

I picked up my suitcase. I left behind the final piece of that matter on the table. It was the only trace of me left in that house.

Ethan, who was overseas, thought I was just being stubborn after not replying for three days.

“Alright, Laura, don’t be angry. I’m coming back soon. Just wait for me.”

I blocked his number, turned off my phone and threw it into the sewer.

I didn’t want to carry anything related to him anymore.

Just as Ethan’s plane landed, mine took off.

We had come within 999 steps of each other—but I took that final step back.

At that moment, Ethan, who had just landed, sent me a message.

[Laura, I'm here. I've booked a restaurant for tonight. Let's have dinner together.]