Tasting 158

158–The Dirty Paintings

Nora:

Lord Atwood had gone to Cain’s studio just to double–check. Even though he trusted us, he wanted

to ensure he could report to the council that he had inspected the studio and found nothing.

Finally, I stepped out of my room to join Silas and Nash, who were standing by my door, keeping

their eyes on the studio entrance.

“Dad must be taking his sweet time in there,” Silas remarked, breaking the tension. Nash and I

frowned at him.

“What? I’m serious. I wonder what kind of portraits Cain paints,” he shrugged, folding his arms.

“Have you never seen your brother’s work?” I asked Silas, who pouted.

“I’ve seen the ones he sells. But I bet the ones he keeps are the really spicy ones. Imagine Dad in

there, having to sift through all that,” he rolled his eyes until they widened, and I swear I could see a

wild thought pop up in his head.

“Wouldn’t it be awkward for Dad to be searching for her painting?” Silas nudged Nash and tried to

say it under his breath, but I heard him loud and clear.

He wasn’t wrong.

I felt goosebumps at the thought of Lord Atwood stumbling upon my painting.

“I’m sure Dad trusts them, which is why he’s taking this step,” he answered his own question, as

even Nash was silently staring at the studio.

Nash was the only person I had confided everything in regarding my stepbrothers. He hadn’t really

looked my way since I left the room. It made me wonder if he was finally seeing me with disgust

now that tension had strained our relationship boundaries.

“Ah! Dad is taking forever. I’m sure he’s–” Silas finally stopped when Nash shot him a glare.

“Fine. I’ll shut up,” Silas raised his hands in surrender.

“Why are you even waiting here if you’re so done with this issue?” Nash asked Silas. I wasn’t sure

when Silas had made it seem like he was done with the issue. It seemed more like Nash wanted to

take out his frustration on someone, and Silas happened to be speaking up.

“I’m actually waiting for Dad to come out so I can confirm if he found anything inside or not,” Silas

nonchalantly commented, making me watch his face in disbelief.

Now I knew what his problem was. He loved annoying others too much, but the moment someone

joked with him, he would get upset.

However, my worries were no longer just about him.

I had just agreed to date Brody. I’m not even sure why! I sighed and straightened my back when

Dad walked out of the studio. Just like Silas had been talking about, I couldn’t help but notice the

sweat on his forehead.

“What the heck are you thinking when you paint these things?” Dad took out a handkerchief from

his pocket and wiped the sweat away.

150–The Dirty Paintings

Silas turned to Nash and quickly winked at him before adopting a serious expression. “Are you

okay? Do you need help? I can call someone–” He stopped short after Cain shook his head.

“Was there nothing there?” Nash asked, glancing briefly in my direction.

“Of course there was nothing,” Cain rolled his eyes, crossing his arms and leaning to the side. “I

don’t just paint anyone random. My models are handpicked and special,” Cain’s comment stung my

pride. I held my tongue because I couldn’t argue with him in front of everyone. But why was he so

indifferent towards me?

“Everything’s fine. Anyway, once Nora starts dating Alpha Brody, all this mess will be cleared up,”

Lord Atwood didn’t stick around as if he urgently needed to get away from his sons.

“Dude! You scared Dad. Now I’m curious to know what you paint in that little hell of yours,” Silas

pointed at Cain’s studio door and Cain. rolled his eyes in response.

“Let’s not discuss it again. Anyway, Nora will be dating Brody from now on so—hopefully—we won’t

hear these rumors again,” Nash struggled to finish his sentence.

Silas shrugged before adding with a smirk, “I can’t believe that jerk will be coming to our place

again.”

“I’ll be in my studio. Make sure you guys get off my door,” Cain didn’t linger for a conversation and

waved his finger at his brothers before heading back into his studio.

“You rest too,” Nash muttered, not looking directly at me.

“I have to go check on a patient,” Silas stretched his arms. He seemed

158–The Dirty Paintings

to have had the most fun out of this situation.

Once he walked away, Nash started to leave too, but I had some questions for him.

“Do I disgust you now?” I asked, and he slowed his steps. He turned around and stared at me

blankly.

“I just didn’t want you to date Brody. None of us like him, but I guess it is what it is now,” his

comment was straightforward. He also made it clear that their dislike for Brody stemmed from their

own personal issues, which I had never explored until now when curiosity prompted me to do so.

After Nash left, I returned to my bedroom.

“I feel so terrible,” I covered my face with my hands and sat down.

“Why did you agree to date Brody?” Akira hissed, not even asking how I was coping with the

situation.

“Akira! Do you really think I had a choice? Besides, it’s not a scheme. I’m giving him a chance like

he asked,” I shot back at her, frustrated that she didn’t consider what I was going through.

“I get it, but Nora! What chance? Are you seriously going to consider dating him?” She sounded

increasingly irritated.

“Maybe yes,” I replied bitterly.

“Before you judge me, tell me which of my mates actually stepped up to accept me in this dire

situation? And even if they could, they can’t. Didn’t you hear Lord Atwood?” I wanted her to

understand the seriousness of the situation.

“Things can always be fixed. You know what you have to do,” she

warned, with a hint of malice