Dreams. Goals. Plans.

You envision a dream, set a goal, and formulate a plan. I had diligently pursued all of these steps. I was on my way to obtaining my degree, engaging with breathtaking works of art, and unexpectedly falling into bed with my professor.

Yeah, that last bit wasn’t part of the grand scheme, but even I had to admit that it wasn’t an unwelcome deviation.

Ironically, despite my meticulous planning, attention to detail, and even despite my own deceptions, I ended up being the one deceived. Being manipulated and used.

He didn’t desire me for who I was; he merely coveted my connections.

He yearned for me because of my access to his prized painting.

And when he absconded into the night with the piece he’d been willing to betray me for, he shattered my heart.

Except, he got caught, and in doing so he inadvertently revealed my biggest secret.

My forgery.