When Tara and her husband Eric first settled into their shared life, the euphoria of their newlywed phase was punctuated by the typical skirmishes that test a young marriage: debates over personal space,
disagreements on chores, and notably, clashes over home decor. Among these domestic disputes, one particular point of contention stood out—a mysterious oil painting of a woman that her husband adamantly insisted on keeping. The painting, apparently acquired at a rummage sale with no known history, featured a young woman with blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, her attire a simple white cotton dress. The painting was rendered in oil, which caught the light in a way that breathed life into her image. Yet, despite her beauty, Tara found that the painting exuded an unsettling aura, especially since her husband had chosen to hang it prominently above their bed. Tara’s unease with the painting was palpable. Its presence was ominous in their bedroom,
and she often woke in the night feeling like she was being watched by the woman’s piercing gray eyes. Her discomfort escalated to the point where she pleaded with her husband, Eric, to relocate the painting. Tara tried to tell Eric that the painting did not fit in with their modern decor,
with Eric replying that neither did Tara’s FunkoPops, which were also on display in their bedroom.