The gold lacquer filling the cracks of an imitation vase

Dear Delyara, I spent my entire inheritance purchasing what a prominent local dealer assured me was an authentic piece of ancient imperial art—a heavy, dark vessel accented with intricate gold-leaf linings. It was supposed to be the anchor of my collection, a tangible piece of history to remind me of where my lineage belongs. Tonight, an appraiser examined it under a specialized lens. It is a masterful counterfeit, produced in a suburban workshop less than ten years ago. The gold lacquer isn't an ancient tribute; it’s a modern resin used to hide flaws in cheap clay. I am sitting in my study staring at this beautiful fraud, realizing it matches me perfectly. I wear the expensive suits, I use the refined vocabulary, but underneath the gold lacquer, I am just cheap, common clay trying to look royal in the dark.