Chapter 78: Past and Present

The morning after the exhibition, I woke up with a sense of fulfillment that had been absent for too long. The success of the event had surpassed my expectations, and the positive feedback from attendees left me buoyant. As I savored my morning coffee, relishing the quiet of the gallery before it opened, my phone buzzed with a message from Rachel. "Hey, Lily. I’d love to catch up if you’re free today. There’s something I’d like to talk about." I couldn’t help the flutter of anticipation in my chest. Rachel reaching out meant a lot; it was a chance to connect on a deeper level. "Of course, Rachel. How about we meet at the gallery around noon?" "Perfect. See you then." Before long, the gallery was abuzz with activity. Jason surprised me with a bouquet of my favorite flowers, a gesture that never failed to make my heart skip a beat. His support was unwavering, his pride in our success evident in every glance and smile. "Morning, beautiful. Thought you could use these after last night