Brittany was shocked. “Dad, you cheated?
She’s pregnant?”
“Great! A boy or girl? I always wanted a
sibling! ”
“Dad, divorce her! Then we can live with the
baby and stepmom!”
“You make a lot of money! We’ll be fine!
You’ll make more later!”
“I believe in you!”
I said, “Yeah, your dad makes a lot, you won’t
く
But I knew the mistress was a low–paid intern
who depended on sugar daddies.
Tom was turning red, and he signed the
papers.
I smiled. “See you at the courthouse.”
I told them to pack, and move out.
Then I packed my things, and went to a fancy
hotel.
The restaurant was a mess, and I didn’t want
to deal with it.
They would clean it up themselves.
I didn’t have to worry.
<
I took a hot bath at the hotel.
I remembered taking care of them, and
laughed.
I was so stupid.
But I was back.
It wasn’t too late.
I planned my new life.
Tomorrow would be a new start.
The next day, we got divorced.
I watched them move out.
Tom took the TV washer dryer microwave
I didn’t care, it was all old anyway.
I was going to get new stuff.
After they left, I looked at the empty house
and sighed.
It was over.
I packed up the supplies, and called a realtor.
I bought a small apartment downtown.
On the way home, I bought a gym
membership.
In a few days, the house was sold.
I saved two thirds of the money, and saved
く
the rest.
Finally, I quit my job.
My old job was boring, and that’s why I could
balance family life.
But there was no room for growth.
I wanted to live for myself.
I used half the money to buy an art studio.
I saw the ad last time, and wanted to buy it.
But I didn’t have the money, or the time.
If I quit, I couldn’t pay for art classes.
Someone else bought it, made it successful.
Г
A month later, a new train station opened.
I had money, and no Brittany to worry about.
I had contacts, and I knew how to run the
place.
I also loved art.
My parents said art was useless, and refused
to let me do it.
That’s why I made Brittany do it.
But I knew that I could do it too.
I hired some talented teachers.
I cleaned and redecorated.
Г
Instead of grey, I used warm colors.
Every room had snacks and water.
I wanted it to feel welcoming.
Most of the students were preparing for art
school.
I wanted to help them de–stress.
I wanted them to feel at home.
It worked.
In a few days, I made more than I expected.
Many students liked the vibe, and wanted to
sign up.
<
I ran a promotion.
I made my money back in two weeks.
A month later, the train station opened.
My studio was packed.
I bought the floor above it.
It was a bookstore, so it was mostly open
space.
I kept the bookshelves, and filled them with
art books.
I wanted to make a study area.
The downstairs was for classes, the upstairs
<
I doubled my space, and made five times as
much money.
Everyone knew about my studio.
It was cheap, and they could eat snacks.
They could even sleep on the couch.
My business exploded.
I hired staff to manage the studio, and
relaxed a bit.
Now I could go to the gym, and paint.
I sat in the room, and listened to the pencils
moving.
I knew I had the life I wanted.
After a while, I noticed one girl.
She sat next to me.
Her art was amazing, and she was fast.
She was so absorbed.
But it was her art supplies that caught my
attention.
I recognized them.
They were some of the supplies I sold.
The easel was cracked.
remembered shipping them
Г
She was using my oldest supplies.
I thought no one would buy them, but I still
sold them for a hundred bucks.
She bought them.
I sold them by type, so everything was there.
She messaged me, thanked me, said I was a
good person, helped her a lot.
She told me she was from a poor family, and
her parents didn’t want to waste money on
art.
She had to practice in secret, hoping for a
competition.
く
A month ago, her parents found out, threw
away her supplies, and hit her.
She didn’t give up, so she bought my old
supplies.
When she left, I stopped her, “Are you
‘KoiFish‘?”
She looked confused. “How do you know
me?”
I smiled, and explained.
She was shocked, grateful, and sad.
Her real name was Christine.
She liked the atmosphere, and loved the
studio.
But she couldn’t afford it.
I felt bad.
I felt like that kid who had to give up their
dreams.
I patted her shoulder. “Come anytime, I’ll take
care of it.”
She shook her head. “I can’t. It costs so
much, and you already sold me the supplies.”
I said, “It’s free.”
She was stunned. “What?”
I smiled. “I own this place.”
I let Christine come for free. and told her she
く
could use any supplies, and ask the teachers
for help.
She cried.
I said, “I don’t need anything back.”
“If you want to repay me, win first place at
the art competition.”
“Then I can advertise that a student from my
studio won an award.”
It wasn’t true.
My studio was already popular.
But she believed me, and said, “I will. I’ll win
the award.”
く
After that, she came to the studio every day.
The teachers said she was the most
promising student.
Days went by.
It was a few weeks before the competition.
I saw Brittany again.
It had been two months, a short time, but I
felt like I’d almost forgotten about her.
It was strange.
Blood relations didn’t mean anything.
