The voice on the phone was like a haunting echo from a past life I thought I had successfully buried. Every word struck like a sharp dart of guilt, waking old memories I had long left dormant. I hesitated, a part of me resisting the urge to re-open a chapter I had firmly closed a decade ago. But the weight of curiosity was too strong, and against my better judgment, I agreed to attend the gallery opening.
The day of the event arrived, shrouded in an air of mystery and anticipation. The gallery was a sprawling space, filled with an eclectic mix of people. Paintings adorned the walls, each telling a story of its own. My eyes scanned the room, searching, wondering if I would even recognize him after all these years.
