"Do you have anything else you want to say?" Ste asked.


    "Of course," Simone replied. "Leonard is dead, and you''ve gained so much from it. I can''t just let you have an easy time. Whether it''s because we were rivals for a man''s affection or for Leonard''s sake, I have to drive a wedge between you and Joshua."


    Ste had already sensed Simone''s attitude. She wasn''t in a hurry. "Fine," she said calmly. "You can say whatever you want today, all at once."


    Ste wasn''t bothered by Simone''s barbs and sarcasm. As long as Simone wasn''t stabbing her in the back, a few words were nothing she couldn''t handle.


    "Ste," Simone began, "Leonard bought one of your paintings once, didn''t he? You were using the name Summer back then, right?"


    "Yes," Ste confirmed.


    Simone''s smile was subtle. "Around the time Leonard bought your painting, something major happened. I don''t know what our father did to provoke her, but Hand''s mother decided to eliminate us for good. She set our house on fire. Our mother died in that fire. Leonard and I managed to escape, but our home was gone. For a family that was already struggling, it was devastating. Leonard''s drawing tablet and supplies were all destroyed in the fire. Luckily, he had some savings. Just as he was about to buy a new tablet, he heard that his favorite artist was having some trouble and needed to raise the price of her work. So, without hesitation, he took out all his savings. That was money he''d saved up over a long time from tutoring. Without the fire, that money would have been enough for him to rent a studio and open a small painting ss. At that time, he didn''t know who you were, whether you were a man or a woman, or even how old you were. His own situation was terrible, but he was still willing to help you. There was no special reason, other than the fact that he loved your paintings. For the things he loved, he never weighed the costs or benefits. He loved your art, so he was willing to pay for it. That''s why I''m not at all surprised that he died at your hands, or because of you. That was the price he paid for his affections. Do you know why he let Aurora use him, why he was willing to be used and even die for you, knowing full well he might die? It wasn''t because he was some lovesick fool. It was because he was willing to pay the price for what he loved. Even if there was no future, no tomorrow. That''s just the kind of person he''s always been. No one ever truly loved him, so he never knew how to love anyone. Ste, you should really think about it. What is it about you that made both Leonard and Joshua love you so much? And then ask yourself, how much of what they fell in love with do you even have left?"


    The door to the room opened.


    Wilbur, who was waiting outset assumed it was Steing out


    He was surprised when he saw it was Simone.


    Sensing his astonished gaze,


    Worst me anymore. I won''t be Simone said, "You all don''t have toet


    Estaying here any longer


    With that, Simone turned and walked away.


    After she left, Wilbur couldn''t help but marvel internally.


    Ste was truly impressive. She had managed to persuade Simone


    just a few sentence''s one with


    Content,


    A momentter, Ste also emerged from the room.


    Her eyes were downcast, her expression unreadable.