The Road Back to You

Chapter 31

Violet Harrington was no longer the girl she once was. Time had shaped her into someone different...quieter, colder, guarded. The warmth in her eyes had dulled, replaced by an unwavering steeliness that kept the world at arm's length. But despite the change, despite the ache that had settled deep within her bones, she had found success. She had built a life of her own, one that was hers and hers alone.

She was finally a name in the art world, a force to be reckoned with. Her dream had become a reality, and the art gallery she had poured her heart into now stood tall in the heart of the city. It was her pride, her solace, and the one thing she could claim as her own without fear of losing it.

The city hummed with life outside the grand glass windows of the Harrington Art Gallery, but inside, it was quiet, serene. Violet Harrington stood in the center of the main exhibition hall, staring at the enormous canvas before her. The strokes of deep blue and gray formed a masterpiece, yet to her, it felt like a mirror; a reflection of everything she had become.

Years had passed, but time hadn't erased the scars. It had merely reshaped them, molding her into someone unrecognizable. Gone was the girl who used to laugh without a second thought, the one who found joy in the smallest moments. She had learned to guard her heart, to build walls so high that no one could reach her again.

Yet, she had succeeded. She had turned her pain into something tangible, something powerful.

"Vi, your exhibition is making waves already," Jade's voice broke through the silence as he walked in, hands shoved into his coat pockets. "We got another feature in the Times. Your work is being called 'the art that speaks in silence.'"

"Sounds poetic," Violet let out a small breath, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. 

"It is. But it's true. You made it, Vi. You're exactly where you always dreamed of being," Jade chuckled. 

She nodded, but the words felt distant. Success had never been the problem. She had always known she would make it. What she hadn't known was how lonely the top could feel.

"Liam and Kathy are on their way," Jade continued. "We're celebrating tonight, by the way. No excuses."

Violet gave him a look but didn't argue. She owed them that much. No matter how much she changed, some things remained the same, like the people who had stayed by her side through it all.

She turned back to her painting, tracing a single brushstroke with her fingertip. This exhibition was a new beginning. A fresh start.

The celebration took place at a stylish bar in the heart of the city, where the warm golden lights and soft jazz music created the perfect atmosphere for a night of joy. Kathy and Liam were already seated at a booth, waiting eagerly for Jade and Violet to arrive.

When Violet and Jade finally walked in, Kathy waved them over excitedly. "There she is! The woman of the hour!" she cheered, raising her glass in the air. Liam grinned, nudging the seat beside him. "Took you two long enough. We were about to start without you."

Violet laughed, sliding into the booth as Jade followed. "Oh, we can't have that, can we?" she teased, picking up the drink that Kathy had already ordered for her.

"To Violet Harrington," Jade said, raising his glass. "To the success of her art gallery and the grand exhibition that's going to make history."

"And to us, for being the best support system she could ask for," Liam added with a smirk.

They all clinked glasses, laughter bubbling among them as the weight of the years behind them felt lighter, if only for tonight.

As the night went on, they talked excitedly about the upcoming exhibition, discussing every little detail; what art pieces would be displayed, the kind of crowd it would attract, and the undeniable fact that this was just the beginning for Violet.

"Do you even realize how big this is, Vi? This isn't just any exhibition. This is your exhibition. People are going to come just to see you and your work," Kathy leaned in, eyes sparkling. 

"I know," she admitted. "And honestly? I can't wait," Violet smiled, feeling the warmth of their belief in her. 

For the first time in a long while, Violet felt a sense of belonging, of excitement, not just for what she had built, but for the future waiting ahead.