"It''s really not that surprising,” Portia said. "The Stewarts are old money, after all. A family like that—of course they''d look for a marriage that matched their status. It''s just what people like them do."


    Mavis was quiet for a moment before she nodded. "Yeah, I know." She''d known for a long time that he''d end up in an arranged marriage.


    "So, he''ll probably be getting married soon, right?" Portia''s expression changed as she finally caught on. “Wait, Mavis... do you still have feelings for him? Was it tough hearing that? I''m sorry, I totally forgot—”


    "No," Mavis interrupted, lifting a shoulder in a casual shrug. "I have amnesia, remember? I don''t even remember him anymore. Who he marries is none of my business now." She gave a faint, almost amused smile. "He''s not even my mentor anymore, so what does it matter?"


    Portia watched her, eyes soft with concern. "Are you really okay?"


    "I''m fine. Honestly," Mavis replied with another smile, smaller this time. "It''s not like this was unexpected—I started preparing myself the first time he turned me down.” She looked at Portia, her expression almost light. "And anyway, isn''t the timing pretty perfect?"


    She continued, "I''ve forgotten him; we don''t have any ties left. He''s found the right person to marry. I bet he''s relieved. I used to hang around him all the time- probably drove him nuts. At least now, he doesn''t have to worry about me bothering him anymore."


    Portia grew thoughtful as she folded her clothes. "But you know, he really doesn''t want you to forget about him. He keeps hoping you''ll get your memory back." She shook her head, half in wonder, half in disbelief. “I just don''t get Uriah sometimes— he can be a little scary, honestly."


    Mavis only smiled. "Yeah. I know."


    Once everything was set, the film crew officially began shooting.


    Calliope didn''t have much to do at the moment, so she grabbed a chair and settled into the shade beneath a tree. Damien stood quietly beside her.


    The first scene of the day featured the film''s two leads: Julius, the male lead, and Linnea, the award-winning actress cast opposite him. Their chemistry was undeniable, the performances so in sync the cameras practically captured magic. Calliope didn''t even need to give any direction she could see that both actors hadpletely internalized their characters and understood every nuance of the script.


    Ulysses approached just as Calliope was idly scrolling on her phone. He edged


    toward her, hesitant, unsure if he was wee.


    She looked up, her gaze cool, distant. "Is there something you need?"


    Ulysses stood there, shifting


    awkwardly. He knew her frosty


    demeanor was justified. Still, he summoned his courage and offered her a cup of juice. "Would you like some? I just bought it-it''s actually pretty good."


    “Thanks,” Calliope said, ncing up briefly. Damien stepped in to take the drink from Ulysses'' outstretched hand.


    But when she noticed Ulysses lingering awkwardly, she asked, "Is there something else?"


    He shook his head. “No.” Then, after a short pause and a visible struggle, he asked quietly, “Would it be alright if I sat over there?"


    Calliope followed his gaze to a spot under the tree. She nodded, her voice level. "It''s not like I own the ce. Sit wherever you want."


    Relief washed over Ulysses. He rushed off, enlisted Miranda''s help to carry his own chair, and set it up a short distance from Calliope. He sat down practically beaming with happiness that she hadn''t sent him away, but nervous enough not to risk another word. Instead, he kept quiet, eyes fixed on the two leads as they yed out their scene for the cameras.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!