Chapter 178

Third-Person POV

The sun was slowly dipping, bathing his art studio in golden hues. The pungent smell of oil paints and turpentine mixed with the freshly brewed strong coffee as Max stroked wide strokes of cerulean blue on his newest canvas, lost in thoughts when his studio door creaked open. It was Megan who stepped inside. Normally confident strides had been replaced by hesitant ones.

"Hey, Megan," Max called out as he set his brush down. "What's up? You look like something's weighing on your mind."

Megan waved little and walked toward him; her expression turned serious. "Hey, Max. I was just hoping we could talk. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed lately with things, and I could really use some advice."

He gestured toward the bench nearby, where they could sit. "Sure thing. What's wrong?"

Gingerly, Megan sank into the seat, stroking her locks and meeting his eyes in the studio. "I've been battling my self-esteem. The training has been rea