A sharp vibration startled Luna. Her phone buzzed, rattling faintly against the polished wood of the studio desk. A name flashed across the screen: Maya. Guilt twisted in her gut even before she answered. Taking a shaky breath, Luna swiped. "Hey, Maya," she tried to sound casual, but her voice came out thin, strained. "Luna! There you are! I've been trying to reach you all morning." Maya's voice, bright and full of a hope Luna couldn't share, filled the quiet room. "Sorry, I was… deep in thought. Working." Luna clutched the phone tighter, her knuckles white. "Of course you are. You always are, my super-talented sister!" Maya giggled, a sound that usually warmed Luna but now only added to the knot in her stomach. "What's up?" Luna asked, bracing herself. "Just checking in! The exhibition is so close, isn't it?" Maya's excitement was palpable, a stark contrast to the oppressive dread Luna felt. "It is," Luna confirmed, the word feeling like ash on her tongue. "Mom and Dad are practically buzzing," Maya continued, oblivious to Luna's internal turmoil. "You know how stressed they've been with the shop. And those medical bills…" Luna closed her eyes, picturing her parents, their worn hands, their forced smiles. The weight of their expectations, the crushing burden of their debt, settled heavy on her shoulders. Their small flower shop, a legacy passed down through generations, was barely clinging on. A series of unfortunate events—a harsh winter, a sudden rent hike, then her father's unexpected surgery—had pushed them to the brink. Luna was their last resort. Her art, her passion, had become their only lifeline. "I know, Maya," Luna managed, her voice barely a whisper. "But this exhibition… it's different, isn't it?" Maya's tone shifted, a hopeful lilt creeping in. "The gallery is so prestigious. And you’ve been working so hard on these new pieces. They’re going to be amazing, I just know it." Each word was a hammer blow, driving deeper the wedge between Luna's fabricated reality and Maya's innocent dreams. The 'new pieces' Maya spoke of were not Luna's own. They were Elias Thorne's, or rather, the pieces he demanded she forge. The entire exhibition was a lie, a meticulously crafted deception that could unravel at any moment. Her sister's unwavering faith felt like a betrayal. Not of Maya, but of herself. Of her integrity as an artist. Of everything she was supposed to be. "I’m doing my best," Luna said, the lie tasting bitter. "That's all we can ask, Luna," Maya replied, her voice soft but firm. "Mom said she saw the online buzz. People are talking about 'The Collector's Muse.' She thinks it's a sign." Luna’s breath hitched. The Collector. Elias. Even her own family was unknowingly entangled in his web. Every positive word from Maya, every mention of hope, solidified the golden handcuffs Elias had placed on her. Disappointing him was one thing. Destroying her family's last hope was unthinkable. "It needs to be a success, Luna," Maya’s voice grew more serious now, the underlying anxiety finally breaking through her cheerful facade. "The bank is getting impatient. We don’t have much time left." Luna’s stomach clenched. The letters, the calls, the polite but firm demands for repayment. She had seen them, hidden away by her parents, stained with worry. She remembered the desperate conversations, the late-night tears. Her parents, usually so strong, looked utterly defeated. The exhibition was more than just a dream for them; it was survival. "I understand, Maya," Luna said, her voice tight. "I really do." "I know you do, Lu. You always take care of us," Maya said, her voice full of an undeserved trust. "Just remember what this means for all of us. No pressure, though! Just… you know." No pressure. The words echoed in Luna’s mind, hollow and mocking. Pressure was all there was. It pressed down on her from every angle: Elias's chilling threats, the ghost of Lyra, her family's desperate plea. She could almost feel Elias's eyes on her, even now, miles away. He had a way of making his presence known, of reminding her that she was always under his control. Her hand trembled as she ran it through her hair. The studio felt smaller, the air thicker. There was no escape. She was caught in a current, being pulled in two opposing directions. She had to deliver. Not just for Elias, but for Maya, for her parents, for the very roof over their heads. The thought was paralyzing. "I’ve got to go, Maya. I have a lot to do," Luna finally said, desperate to end the call before she shattered. "Okay, okay! Don't overdo it," Maya chirped, her cheerfulness returning. "Just wanted to send some good vibes. We're all rooting for you, Luna. This exhibition will save us. I just know it."

Chapter 29: The Sister's Plea