The Ghost He Couldn't Keep

Everything that had happened today flashed through my mind like a fast-forwarded movie.

All the surprises, romance, and affection were just lies.

Spencer's sudden attempt to make amends, the guilt in his eyes—it was all because of Kimberly.

She had copied the unpublished design files from my computer, and Spencer was trying to placate me.

That fragile flicker of hope crumbled to dust.

...

Holding back my tears, I called Spencer.

The phone rang for a long time before he answered.

"Stella, what's wrong?"

I confronted him. "Spencer… all this today… was this just about Kimberly copying my design files?"

Spencer was silent for a moment.

"Stella, I've already spoken to her. It won't happen again."

My heart plummeted.

I asked coldly, "She's an intern. Does she have no shame? Doesn't she know plagiarism is career suicide in this industry? Is she so talentless she has to steal from me to get by?"

Suddenly, I heard a faint sob on the other end of the line.

Kimberly was crying.

Between sobs, she said, "I'm sorry, Spencer. I was just under so much pressure, so I 'drew inspiration' from her work."

Spencer sighed. "Apologize."

"I'm sorry," Kimberly choked out, her voice breaking.

I could hear Spencer gently comforting her on the other end, and it was a knife twisting in my gut.

"Stella, just tell me what you want. I'll make it up to you," Spencer's voice was laced with desperation. "If this gets out, Kimberly's internship is over. I need you to let this go. Please, Stella."

Tears streamed down my face.

He hadn't spoken to me like this in so long, and now that he was, it was for Kimberly's sake.

He had once been captivated by the light in my eyes when I was creating.

Now, he was asking me to give up my designs so his lover could gain fame and fortune.

My tears splattered onto the cold screen of my drawing tablet.