Chapter 261
Cormac felt an overwhelming urge to avoid any further confrontation with Rowena. He had left just as she entered the filming session, hoping to escape any more awkward interactions. But he hadn’t expected her to chase after him. The last time they had met at the entertainment center, Cormac had managed to hide his true emotions. But today, there was no hiding; he couldn’t avoid the humiliation that was now part of his reality.
There they stood, alone, neither knowing how to begin. The silence stretched on, suffocating them both.
Rowena finally spoke, her voice hesitant, “I just found out about the Nash family.”
Cormac gave a bitter smile. “I must look like a real joke to you.”
“No,” Rowena replied quickly, trying to comfort him, but her words lacked conviction. “Life has its ups and downs. It’s normal. You have to stay positive.”
Cormac forced a smile, though it was clear to both of them that it didn’t reflect his true feelings. “I’m staying positive. Life isn’t as affluent as it used to be, but every day is fulfilling in its own way. It’s not bad.”
Rowena could tell he wasn’t being honest, but she didn’t press him further. She couldn’t. The weight of their past was still too much for both of them.
“Rowena,” Cormac continued, his voice growing firmer, “what happened between us is in the past. I don’t want to bring it up again. You have your boyfriend now, and I have my own life. Let’s just live our own lives and not disturb each other.”
The finality in his words stung, but Rowena couldn’t deny the truth in them. It was over. They were no longer part of each other’s lives.
Just then, Rowena’s assistant arrived, rushing over with a sense of urgency. Cormac, knowing the moment had come to part ways, spoke up again, his voice quieter this time. “You should go. I hope you can forget these two meetings. Just pretend you never saw me.”
If only he could erase the pain of this encounter. If only things could be different, but they weren’t. They were both changed.
“Rowena, you need to go back. The photographer is waiting,” the assistant said, panting from her sprint.
Cormac didn’t say another word. He turned silently and began walking away. But before he could disappear into the distance, Rowena called his name.
“Cormac.”
He stopped, and as he turned to face her, her eyes met his. “Yes?”
“Cormac, take care.”
The words were simple, but they carried the weight of everything unspoken. Rowena wanted so much to say, but this was all she could offer. A simple wish that he would find his way again.
Cormac felt his throat tighten, but he forced a smile, albeit faint, and nodded. “You too. Take care.”
With that, they both turned, each retreating into their own solitude. The space between them grew with every step, as if fate was reminding them how far they had fallen.
Neither of them saw the tears that fell as they walked away.
“Rowena, why are you crying? Don’t cry; it’ll ruin your makeup,” the assistant said, concerned, noticing Rowena’s watery eyes.
Back in the studio, the makeup artist was quick to fix her face, though Rowena barely noticed. She wasn’t focused on her appearance. The promotional shoot for the entertainment center was supposed to be a routine task, but now it felt like an impossible weight.
“Come on, Rowena, smile! A happy, sweet smile, please!” The photographer’s voice was cheerful, but it only grated on Rowena’s nerves.
She tried, she really did. But no matter how hard she attempted, her smile didn’t reach her eyes. After a few shots, the photographer gave a disappointed sigh, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry,” Rowena said, finally unable to pretend. “I’m not feeling well today. I really can’t continue. Let’s wrap it up.”
The manager, who had been observing from the side, rushed over. “That’s not possible, Rowena. The location and photographer are in high demand. The schedule is fully booked for the next few days. If we don’t finish today, we’ll cause delays.”
“I really can’t,” Rowena repeated, her voice strained.
Just then, Richard appeared, pushing through the crowd. He signaled to the manager to leave, clearly taking over. Once alone with Rowena, he began to speak in a low, measured tone.
“What’s wrong, Rowena? Haven’t you rested well? I know you’ve been working hard, but today’s shoot is critical. The promotional poster for the entertainment center has been delayed long enough. Nexus Innovations is already being very patient with us. If we don’t finish today, it will upset our sponsor.”
Rowena clenched her fists, trying to keep her temper in check. She was already at the edge, and Richard’s words didn’t help.
He continued, oblivious to her rising frustration. “Besides, we just returned to the country. If anyone gets the wrong idea, it could be a disaster. Public opinion can ruin everything. Just hold on for a few more hours. After we’re done, we can go back to the hotel and you can rest.”
Rowena couldn’t take it anymore. “Richard, don’t you think you’re being a little excessive today?”
“Excessive?” Richard feigned confusion. “I’m just trying to help us stay on track. It’s all about the bigger picture.”
Rowena glared at him, her patience completely gone. “You know what I’m talking about. You knew Cormac had fallen from grace, and yet you still made him our driver. Isn’t that trampling on his dignity?”
Richard chuckled, a smug look crossing his face. “He’s broke now. Doing a day’s hard labor isn’t going to change much. I paid him three thousand dollars. That’s a favor, not humiliation.”
Rowena seethed with anger. “You know exactly what you’re doing! I could have finished the shoot today, but you’ve ruined everything. I can’t shoot anymore.”
She started to remove the outerwear she was wearing for the shoot, ready to leave. But Richard grabbed her wrist, holding her back.
“I know he’s your ex-boyfriend. I also know he’s down on his luck now. That’s why I was so cautious when he approached you at the entertainment center,” Richard said, his voice now colder.
Rowena’s heart pounded, her emotions too raw to be contained. “Is being poor a crime?” she shot back, her voice trembling. “I was born poor, too. Does that mean everyone from a poor background is suspect? That they must have ulterior motives?”
Before Richard could respond, the manager and assistant rushed in, sensing the tension. Richard, furious but trying to remain composed, took a deep breath.
“Fine,” he said, his voice tight with anger. “She’s not feeling well. No more shooting today.”
He stormed out of the room. Rowena, now emotionally drained, sank into a nearby chair, her head spinning.
She couldn’t shake the image of Cormac—the man she had once loved, now reduced to someone who had to endure the humiliations of his fall from grace. He must be in so much pain, and there was nothing she could do to help him.
Meanwhile, back at his home, Cormac sat down at the dinner table. Aurora had prepared a meal for him, but he wasn’t hungry. The food in front of him felt like nothing more than a reminder of the emptiness inside him.
Aurora, oblivious to his inner turmoil, smiled and said, “Uncle, I learned a new cooking method from TV today. They say it’s especially delicious. Please try it.”
Cormac nodded absentmindedly, picking up his fork and trying to eat. But as soon as the food touched his tongue, a lump formed in his throat. The effort to hold back tears was too much. He felt as if everything—the pain, the loneliness, the humiliation—had finally broken him.
He couldn’t hold it in any longer.