Soleil’s three paintings halted people in their tracks. Her fantastical worlds were like portals to other realities. Each took a year to paint, so though penniless and hungry, Soleil refused to haggle down their price.
One cold night, the handsome patron stepped from the shadows. For ten years he gave Soleil food and home, treated her like a queen.
After her 13th masterpiece, he threw Soleil down a flight of stairs.
As she lay dying, she asked him why.
“Silly girl,” he said. “Art is worthless as long as the artist lives.”