Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 51 – A New Canvas

The next morning, Evelyn woke up to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through her curtains. For a moment, she lay there, staring at the ceiling, her mind still half-lost in sleep. Then she remembered.

The post.

Her stomach twisted with a mix of anticipation and nerves as she reached for her phone. She hadn't checked it since last night, too afraid of what she might—or might not—find. But now, with the quiet stillness of the morning around her, she felt ready.

Taking a deep breath, she unlocked her phone.

Her heart skipped a beat.

There were notifications. A lot of them.

Dozens of likes, comments, and even a few shares. Some from friends, some from strangers. Each message, each interaction, was like a small thread weaving into something bigger.

**"This is beautiful! Can't wait to see more."**

**"The colors in this are mesmerizing. You have such a unique style!"**

**"Please tell me you sell prints because I NEED this on my wall."**

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

Evelyn blinked, rereading the words over and over. People liked her work. No—people loved it. They felt something because of it.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her daze. She sat up just as Adrian's voice came through the wood.

"Evie, you up?"

She scrambled out of bed, still clutching her phone. When she opened the door, Adrian stood there, coffee in one hand, a bag of pastries in the other. He took one look at her expression and grinned.

"You checked it, didn't you?"

She nodded, still stunned.

"People liked it."

"Told you,"

he said smugly, handing her a coffee.

"But I'll accept your apology for doubting me in pastry form."

She rolled her eyes but took a croissant from the bag anyway.

"I didn't doubt you. I just... wasn't sure if anyone would care."

Adrian plopped onto her couch, stretching his legs out.

"Well, now you know. And this is just the beginning."

She sat down beside him, taking a careful sip of her coffee.

"It's kind of scary."

He nudged her knee with his.

"Good. That means it matters."

She smiled softly. He always knew the right thing to say.

---

**Unexpected Encouragement**

Later that afternoon, Evelyn found herself in the art supply store, fingers trailing over the different paints and brushes. It felt different being here now.

For so long, she had avoided this place, convinced she wasn't worthy of restocking her supplies. But today, she felt something new.

Excitement.

She picked up a fresh set of brushes, then moved to the paint section, scanning the rows of colors. Just as she reached for a tube of cerulean blue, a voice spoke beside her.

"That's a good color."

She turned, finding an older woman smiling at her. The woman's kind eyes crinkled at the edges as she gestured toward the paint.

"It's bold but soft at the same time. Makes for a great sky."

Evelyn nodded, returning the smile.

"Yeah. It's one of my favorites."

The woman glanced at the brushes in Evelyn's basket.

"You're an artist?"

She hesitated. The old Evelyn would have brushed off the question and deflected it with a self-deprecating comment. But today, something inside her felt different.

"Yes,"

she said.

"I am."

The woman's smile widened.

"That's wonderful. Keep creating, dear. The world needs more beauty."

Evelyn swallowed, touched by the simple words.

"Thank you."

As she walked to the register, her grip on her supplies tightened. She was an artist. She was creating. And for the first time, she wasn't afraid to say it out loud.

---

**A Night of Possibilities**

That evening, Adrian picked her up, insisting she needed a

"mini celebration."

"For what?"

she had asked, arching an eyebrow at him.

"For finally owning up to how insanely talented you are," he had replied, grinning. "And because I'm hungry."

Now, sitting across from him at a cozy diner, Evelyn twirled a fry between her fingers.

"So, what's next?"

she asked, glancing up at him.

Adrian set down his drink, tilting his head.

"For you or the food?"

She laughed.

"For me. For the art."

"Well,"

he mused, tapping a finger against the table,

"You could keep posting. Build up a following. Maybe even open commissions."

Evelyn snorted.

"You're getting ahead of yourself."

"Am I?"

He leaned in slightly, his voice softer.

"Evie, you're already doing the hard part. You're putting yourself out there. Everything else will follow."

She considered his words, letting them settle. The idea of commissions, of truly stepping into this world, was terrifying—but also thrilling.

Adrian reached across the table, nudging her hand with his.

"No pressure. Just something to think about."

She looked down at their hands, warmth spreading through her chest.

"Thanks, Adrian. For believing in me."

He smirked.

"Well, someone's gotta keep reminding you how amazing you are."

Evelyn shook her head fondly, but deep down, she knew—this was just the beginning. And for the first time in a long time, she was ready for whatever came next.