As Aiden and Mira settled into the quiet of the studio, the remnants of the exhibition lingered in the air—hints of laughter, clinking glasses, and the vibrant energy that had filled the space. But now, the silence felt heavy, punctuated only by the soft rustle of paintbrushes and the distant hum of the city outside.
“I can’t believe it’s finally over,” Aiden said, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over him. “We did it.”
Mira smiled, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. “We really did. You shared your story with so many people tonight. That’s a huge step.”
“Yeah, but I can’t shake the feeling that Alex will come back,” Aiden admitted, leaning back against the wall. “His words still echo in my mind.”
Mira moved closer, her expression serious. “It’s normal to feel that way. He’s a pa
