Chapter 1042
He still couldn’t fathom how he’d once been so blind-how he’d convinced himself Lisette shone while Calliope was nothing but a shadow at her feet.
As Calliope lifted her gaze, she caught Ulysses watching her from across the room. The moment their eyes met, he looked away hastily, as if stung.
Calliope lingered in thought. Word of the Jewell family’s collapse had spread; she was well aware that Ulysses had been keeping his distance from her. It was obvious —he was terrified she’d scorn him, or hold the past against him.
At the wrap party, laughter and music spilled into the night, everyone eating and drinking with abandon. When the festivities wound down and people began shuffling back to the hotel, Calliope found her chance. She slipped away and intercepted Ulysses as he walked alone, his head down, lost somewhere far away.
He noticed her only when her shadow fell across his path. Glancing up in surprise, he stammered, “Callie p>
He seemed caught off guard, even a little amazed. But then something flickered in his eyes-memory, perhaps, or guilt. He quickly moved to step aside. “Sorry, am I blocking your way p>
“No,” Calliope replied, momentarily surprised by his defensiveness. “I actually wanted to talk to you p>
“To me?” Ulysses blinked in disbelief, as if she’d said something impossible. “Talk… about what?” Anxiety crept into his voice. “Did I bother you? If I’ve overstepped, I promise I’ll keep my distance p>
He ducked his head further, struggling to make himself smaller. “I don’t mean any harm, I swear. I know I’m not fit to have anything to do with you anymore. I don’t even deserve to say I was ever your brother p>
He took a step back, as if careful not to taint her with his presence. “I’ll stay out of your way. If anyone asks, I’d never claim we’re family p>
He knew better than anyone what had become of the Jewell family. Once, they’d put themselves on a pedestal, looking down their noses at Calliope; but the truth was, they’d never really been worthy-not then, and even less now. In a matter of months, the Jewells had tost everything. If Ulysses hadn’t landed a role of this set if not for the director and Calliope herself insisting he stay-he probably would have disappeared from the industry.
“That’s not why I stopped you,” Calliope said. Her gaze held his firmly.
She hadn’t forgiven-nor did she expect to forgive-anyone bearing the Jewel name, and she certainly didn’t see herself as connected to them@nymore. Still, over the past few months, Ulysses had quietly stepped up, working hard without complaint. He was the only one from the family who’d managed to keep his head above water.
Whatever her reasons-whether for the good of the production, or simply because she didn’t want to see him obliterated along with the rest-she didn’t want Ulysses to destroy himself.
“Keep your distance from the Jewells,” Calliope said quietly, her tone matter-of-fact. “Especially Lisette. I know you can’t fully cut them off, but let me give you some advice: if you want to crash and burn with them, then by all means, stay close. Otherwise, mind your own business and focus on your work p>
Ulysses hesitated, then let the words tumble out. “Actually… I’m already on the outs with them.” His voice dropped to almost a whisper. “When my family found out I was in the same cast as you, they kept pushing me to get close-ask for your help… refused We fought, they screamed, and… well, they kicked me out. I moved out not long after p>
He shook his head, the bitterness plain on his face. “I told them not to come begging you for favors—or for forgiveness. Not to cause you trouble. Definitely not to ask you for money. They lost that right long ago p>
He let out a breath. “The company’s gone. Dad’s drowning in debt. Lisette used the family name to rack up loan after loan—at obscene rates. Every disaster that’s hit them, they brought on themselves p>
He looked up at her, resolute. “None of it is your fault p>