ManyWriters

To help his childhood sweetheart win an award, my fiancé locked claustrophobic me in a tiny, dark basement for a day and night.
I trembled and cried helplessly in fear, while his childhood sweetheart basked in the spotlight on stage with my work.
He once promised me forever, but now he shields her behind him.
"You've lost your edge, Mr. Langdon. Wouldn't you rather be a leisurely housewife? Why do you have to compete with Aria for everything?"
I laughed bitterly, my eyes sweeping over the trophy in his hands. I didn't tell him.
The mastermind behind this competition was none other than myself.

Claustrophobic Me Locked In the Closet

The panel of judges went on stage to inspect, agreeing with Aria's explanation. Her piece had been completed much earlier than mine.


It seemed clear who the plagiarist was.


Then someone recognized me: "Isn't that the daughter of the sculptor who plagiarized and jumped off a building?"


"No way, I guess those bad genes really are hereditary. What a shame... I actually liked Thorn's work. I never thought..."


The tide quickly turned in Aria's favor. She flashed me a smug smirk.


I returned her smile, took the microphone from the host, and spoke loudly over the murmurs:


"Do you all know why my piece is called 'Metamorphosis,' yet it's a tree that looks nearly dead?"


I walked to the edge of the stage where Callie had been waiting for me.


Taking the small hammer from her hand, I turned to face the sculpture with Aria's name on it.


I raised my arm and, amidst gasps from the crowd, brought the hammer down hard.


Chapter 10