Alex’s POV
The somber lull eased around as Nicky and I walked side by side. He chattered about how cool it was that Rhett painted the colorful horse picture in the dining room. I could barely focus on what he was saying, though. My thoughts swirled, torn between curiosity about Rhett and the tension from breakfast.
When I stopped a maid to ask about the painting room, she smiled kindly and led us to a set of double doors with a large, antique keyhole. She unlocked it with a brass key hanging nearby, and the doors creaked open to reveal a treasure trove of art.
“Wow,” I whispered as I stepped inside.
The room was wide and breathtaking, the walls covered in paintings. The early ones were vibrant—grasses swaying under bright sunlight, horses galloping, and skies painted in every shade of
