A strange feeling stirred deep in his chest, tugging at something he couldn't quite name. His breath caught, and before he realized it, his eyes grew misty. A single tear slipped down his cheek, startling him back to reality.
"Sam?" Zinnia's voice was soft, filled with gentle concern.
He blinked rapidly, brushing the tear away as if nothing had happened. "It's… incredible," he said, his voice low.
She smiled faintly, turning her attention back to the painting. "It's the piece that changed everything for me," she murmured. "I didn't think it would resonate with others the way it has."
Samuel's gaze shifted to her, the vulnerability in her voice pulling at him. "It's not just art, Zia. It's a story. A feeling. People see themselves in it, and that's what makes it extraordinary."
Her eyes softened as she looked at him, his words touching her more than he probably realized. "Thank you," she said quietly.
