Her Refusal: A Redemption Romance

Chapter 33

Book2 Chapter25.

| stared at the blank canvas before picking up a brush, my fingers trembling slightly with anticipation.

The cheers from the crowd below mixed with the rhythmic sound of my brush against the canvas, sending a rush

of adrenaline through my veins.

The thwas "Self."

As | sketched the outlines, memories of the past years flashed through my mind. | had intended to paint a

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portrait of myself, but as | drew, Leo's figure started to appear.

Leo, have | been living in the shadow of who | thought | was supposed to be, all because of you?

| put down the brush, my heart pounding as the realization hit me.

"Ten minutes left, everyone," the host announced. | looked at my painting, increasingly dissatisfied.

"No," | whispered to myself. "Leo is Leo. | am me."

| subconsciously tied up my hair with a pencil, just like | used to do in college. | quickly smeared paint across the

canvas.

During those last ten minutes, | heard nothing but my own heartbeat.

"Time's up!"

The host's voice snappedback to reality.

The announcement was swift; my painting took third place by popular vote.

A mix of relief and joy welled up inside me, tears threatening to spill.

Rolin broughtdown from the stage, lettingcry on his shoulder.

"Hey, it was just a friendly competition. Third place is pretty impressive!"

"And by the way, everyone thinks you're my girlfriend - they think the crossed-out figure in your painting is me!"

I hit him playfully.

The final painting showed Leo, crossed out with a large red X, with my figure emerging above him.

"Elizabeth, so this is what kept you busy..." Leo's voice broke through the crowd as he held out a bouquet of

flowers.