Chapter <b>141 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>141 </b>


    The next morning dawned far too early, the mansion cloaked in pale gold light.


    Alejandro had intended to rise before anyone else, to slip out quietly for the office without enduring awkward small talk or forced closeness. He had gone to bed determined that distance was strength.


    But the universe, as always, had a cruel sense of hu


    When he opened his bedroom door, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve, he found Nivera stepping out of her own room at the same time.


    She was radiant in the soft morning light, already dressed, her hair brushed into silky waves, which looked so soft he was tempted to run his fingers through it.


    Her smile brightened when she saw him, hesitant but hopeful, as though she had been waiting for this very moment.


    “Good morning,” she said softly, trying to mask the nerves in her voice. “I–I’m heading out early today. It’s the final day of the photoshoot.”


    Her smile wavered but held, her eyes searching his face for some flicker of warmth, but there was nothing.


    “It means a lot. I thought you’d want to know.”


    It was an olive branch and a test of whetherst night had been a cruel fluke. Maybe he had been overwhelmed by work, hence the outburst.


    But Alejandro didn’t so much as slow his stride. His gaze brushed over her, cool and detached.


    “Good for you,” he said simply.


    The smile faltered instantly, her lips parting as if she hadn’t heard him correctly.


    She turned, following him with her eyes, her voice barely more than a whisper. “That’s… all you have to say?”


    Alejandro stopped just long enough to nce at her over his shoulder, his gaze sharp and detached. “You don’t need my apuse, Nivera. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I care about trivialities like that.”


    The words were precise and deliberate, and they cut deeper than any de.


    Nivera froze in the hallway, her heart tumbling into her stomach. Trivial.


    The one thing she had left that belonged solely to her, the career that he helped revive, he dismissed as though it were a child’s game.


    She opened her mouth to speak, to defend herself, but the lump in her throat choked the words.


    He was already turning away, his polished shoes echoing against the marble as he descended the stairs without ncing back.


    By the time she heard the front door close, her eyes were already burning.


    She, however, didn’t cry


    But as she sank into the back seat of the car waiting to take her to the studio, the dam inside her threatened to burst open.


    She sat stiffly in the back seat, her arms folded tightly across her chest, fighting the urge to cry.


    The driver nced at her once in the rearview mirror but wisely said nothing.


    Her phone rested in herp, the screen dark. She’d give anything for it to light up with a message from Alejandro exining why he was acting the way


    <b>1/3 </b>


    that he was.


    She thought of how he used to be–how, even if seeming annoyed, there had been shes of pride in his tone whenever she mentioned her shoots.


    He had teased her about being stubborn, but she had seen the spark in his eyes when she spoke about modeling.


    Now, that spark was gone, and it was reced by ice.


    Her fingers trembled in herp, and they curled into fists. She hated how much his words mattered, how easily he could unmake her.


    She hated that she wanted his approval, his smile, his teasing encouragement–things he used to give so freely before something inside him had shifted.


    Her phone vibrated and she tossed it into her bag when it was a stupid notification which she wasn’t interested in.


    By the time the car rolled up to the studio, her chest was a battlefield of hurt and anger.


    She forced herself to step out, and she schooled her features. The world didn’t need to know she was hurt.


    Inside, Celeste was already waiting with Kevin, a bundle of energy as always.


    “Nivera!” Celeste spotted her the moment she walked in.


    “Finally, thest day! You must be so


    excited.”


    Not really, but she put on a smile. “I am,<i>” </i>she said regardless.


    “I’m supposed to be working with the other model today; where is she?” She looked around.


    “She’s been pulled back due to a little scandal,” Celeste simply said. “But it’s nothing you need to worry yourself about.”


    The photographer came around as well, saying a few things she didn’t bother to listen to as she zoned out.


    Their enthusiasm should have lifted her, but instead it made the hollow ache inside her more pronounced. She managed a weak smile, nodding.


    “Yeah… one more day<i>,” </i>she said quietly.


    Celeste pulled back, frowning slightly at theck of energy in her voice. “You okay? You look… tired.”


    “I’m fine,” Nivera lied quickly, brushing past them toward the dressing room. “Just didn’t sleep much. That’s all.”


    “Ohh,” Celeste hummed. “This shoot shouldn’t take too much time, so you’ll be able to go home and rest. But we are getting some other offers from otherpanies.”


    That was good news, but it rarely did anything to lift her spirit. “Alright, we’ll talk about them.”


    With that, she quickly headed to the changing room so she could get worked on. She loved modeling; once she started working, it would brighten her mood.


    But as the morning dragged on, her mood didn’t lift. She went through the motions of posing, smiling when asked, <i>and </i>shifting her body under the lights. On the outside she was poised, professional, and every inch the model she’d fought to be.


    On the inside, she was unraveling.


    And <b>a </b>certain man noticed it.