Chapter 4

The classroom at the adult university was much more basic than Anna had imagined. A few student artworks hung on the peeling walls, and just over twenty wooden desks stood in neat rows, every one etched with scars from time.

She picked a spot in the second-to-last row by the window, set down her sketchbook and pencils, and absently tapped her fingers along the edge of the paper.

"Is this seat taken?" The girl with a high ponytail gestured at the seat next to Anna.

"No," Anna answered, sliding over and catching a light citrus scent from the girl.

"I'm Vivian Morrison, art director at an ad agency," Vivian introduced herself, offering her hand with a friendly grin. "You're new, right? I was in this class last term."

"Anna Lane," Anna said simply, then hesitated before adding, "I... haven't started working yet."

Vivian's eyes flicked to Anna's Cartier watch and Chanel purse for a moment. She gave Anna a knowing smile. "A housewife?"

Anna nodded, a bit of heat rising to her ears. As a bunch of people trickled in, she realized the students were all sorts of ages—not just university students up front, but also elderly scattered through the back rows.

"Don't worry, Professor Nichols is actually pretty nice," Vivian leaned in and whispered. "But he's brutal with the homework. Last week, he made us draw fifty eggs from different angles in one day."

Anna couldn't help but laugh, her tense shoulders finally relaxing. Just then, the classroom door opened and a tall, lanky middle-aged guy walked in. His gray hair stuck out wildly, making him look like a startled owl.

"Today, we're diving into perspective," Simon Nichols said, flipping open his notes without even bothering to introduce himself. "If you can't get perspective right, everything you draw will look wonky."

Anna snapped open her sketchbook and zeroed in, jotting down notes as fast as she could.

Simon's teaching style was something else—he barely touched the textbook, just grabbed a piece of chalk and started sketching straight on the board. With a few casual flicks, he conjured up a cube that practically popped off the chalkboard.

"Alright, your turn," Simon said, brushing the chalk dust off his hands. "Draw an interior scene using two-point perspective. You've got forty-five minutes."

The classroom erupted in groans. Anna chewed on her pen cap, staring blankly at the empty page. She'd never had any formal training—just doodled flowers and little critters for fun.

"Start with the horizon line," Vivian whispered, leaning over. "Once you've got your vanishing points, the rest is easy."

Anna followed her advice, drawing one line after another. Slowly, the outline of a living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sofa began to take shape on the page. She lost track of time, only snapping back to reality when Simon called time.

"Alright, let's check out a few of your sketches," Simon strolled around the classroom and suddenly stopped beside Anna. "Now this is an interesting one."

Anna's heart sped up, sure she was about to get called out. But instead, Simon held up her sketchbook for everyone to see.

He said, "Look here—even though the technique might be a little unpolished, she actually noticed the angle of the light casting shadows on the floor through the window. That's sharp observation."

Vivian shot her a secret thumbs-up. Anna ducked her head, hiding the smile tugging at her lips—a rush of long-lost accomplishment welling up in her chest.

By the time class let out, it was half past nine. Anna turned down Vivian's invite to go for midnight snacks and rushed straight to the school gate. The driver Lionel had sent had been waiting for twenty minutes and didn't look happy at all.

"Mrs. Hoffman, Boss wants to know why your phone's off," the driver said, taking her bag and sounding pretty annoyed.

It was only then Anna realized her phone had died. "I got so caught up in class I totally spaced on charging it."

When Anna got home, Lionel was sitting on the living room couch, buried in paperwork. He didn't even look up when she walked in. "What class ends this late?"

"Basic drawing," Anna said, carefully setting her textbook on the coffee table. "The professor gave us homework, and I..."

"Were you aware I had a business dinner tonight?" Lionel cut her off, his tone sharp. "Cora said you didn't leave any instructions for dinner."

Anna froze. She really had forgotten all about it. "I'm sorry, I'll go take care of it right now."

"No need," Lionel said, closing his folder. "I already ate out. You can keep going to classes, but just don't forget about things at home, alright?"

He went up the stairs, leaving Anna standing there, idly rubbing the edge of her sketchbook. That drawing—the one Professor Nichols actually complimented—was right there. She'd been hoping to share it with Lionel.