Chapter 1047
“It’s been so long since I last saw a movie,” Minerva sighed, entering the theater. “The last time was freshman year of college. After that, I just got too busy.” She paused, reflecting on the stark contrast between her own monotonous youth and others'.
No wonder Rowan found her dull. She had followed her parents' prescribed path, never truly exploring her own identity. But now, with Skylar, she felt relaxed.
Skylar smiled. “I don’t go to the movies much either. In college, a close friend obsessed over Austin Powell. Every new film? She dragged me along.”
“Austin Powell? I love him! I binge-watch his shows whenever I can. He’s incredible. Your friend had excellent taste—he’s a superstar!” Minerva laughed.
Minerva’s phone rang. “Excuse me,” she said, answering without stepping away. The caller was clearly an older woman.
“Hello, Mrs. Jakeman. I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen Rowan recently, so I’m unsure of his well-being,” Minerva replied softly, her tone polite and patient. Her expression, however, remained distant, almost cold.
When the conversation turned to Rowan and their situation, her demeanor didn’t change. “Mrs. Jakeman, Rowan has moved on. He’s with someone he cares about, and they seem happy. I wish them well. Please inform my parents that it’s time to formally end things between us.”
Her voice was calm, detached, as if discussing someone else’s life. There was no emotion. Rowan’s betrayal—breaking their engagement and starting a new relationship with Jenny—seemed to affect her not at all. Her only concern appeared to be the official dissolution of their engagement.
Whatever Mrs. Jakeman said next caused Minerva’s brow to furrow slightly, but her tone remained gentle and composed. “I’ll comply with my family’s decision.”
Finally, she ended the call with a courteous, “Goodbye, Mrs. Jakeman.”
After hanging up, Minerva paused, staring at her phone before casually tossing it into her bag. Turning to Skylar with a smile, she said, “Shall we go in? It’s probably about time.”
Skylar nodded, unreactive. “Yeah, it’s probably starting soon.”
They entered the dimly lit theater, each with a bucket of popcorn. Few people were present. Unsurprising; the movie had been showing for almost a month and was about to be pulled.
“Looks like we have the whole place to ourselves,” Minerva laughed, radiating a newfound happiness.
“We do,” Skylar agreed, glancing around. Only one other couple sat in the back row, far enough away to be virtually invisible. The emptiness felt like a private screening.
“Perfect! Now we can laugh as loudly as we want!” Minerva’s eyes sparkled with a rare joy.
For some reason, this sight made Skylar’s heart ache. Despite Rowan’s new relationship with Jenny being public knowledge, no one seemed to acknowledge Minerva’s pain.
Minerva, maintaining her upbeat demeanor, shook her head with a smile. “I’m going to let loose tonight. No point wasting all this popcorn.”
She gestured to the massive bucket in her lap. Since childhood, strict dietary rules had governed her life. Her weight-conscious mother had always worried Minerva would inherit her predisposition. This resulted in heavily restricted eating, even now. Her mother frequently questioned her weight, scolding her for even minor gains.
Minerva had learned to eat sparingly, never indulging. But tonight, she seemed determined to break free.
“I’ll join you,” Skylar said, playfully winking.
The two women burst into laughter, a shared camaraderie as they prepared to enjoy the movie and their popcorn without guilt. Meanwhile, in the back row, the couple whispered softly, oblivious to the quiet moment of liberation unfolding a few rows ahead.