As the sun began to rise over Lake Michigan, casting a pale pink light through my studio windows, I put the brush down.

The painting was finished.

My phone vibrated on the desk.

It was a news alert on the screen.

*BREAKING: Hayes Global CEO Daniel Hayes resigns amid federal fraud investigation.*

I did not click the link.

I turned the phone face down on the desk.

I walked to the window and looked out at the city waking up.

The streets were clean from the rain, and the sky was clear and blue.

I was no longer the wife of a billionaire.

I was no longer a prisoner in a glass cage.

I was Emily Carter, and I was finally home.