Chapter 752
Chapter 752:
At that moment, Fernanda caught a glimpse of Neal’s raw vulnerability. His eyes locked onto hers, wide with anxiety, a desperate plea for validation. It was as though he was searching for her approval, clinging to the hope that only she could offer him the reassurance he so desperately craved.
He seemed consumed by self-doubt, trapped in a murky future that felt uncertain and overwhelming. The weight of it pressed on him, and it appeared that only Fernanda held the key to unraveling the knots of despair that bound him.
Never before had she seen him like this. Neal had always carried himself with effortless charm and boldness, his words sharp and filled with confident wit—this version of him felt unfamiliar and raw. The blow he’d suffered had shaken him to the core.
“No,” Fernanda said firmly, shaking her head. She looked at Neal with confidence. “Your future isn’t over. Don’t worry.”
“How can you say that? With a father like mine…”
“Your father doesn’t control your destiny. He doesn’t define you. Your fans admire you for who you are, and your father’s wrongdoings have nothing to do with that,” Fernanda said gently, her words steady and calm. “And everyone has flaws, even the stars we look up to. This? This isn’t your flaw. It’s just part of your past. You’re letting it burden you too much.”
Neal swallowed hard, his throat tightening as he listened.
“You know, a lot of people wouldn’t judge you for it. They’d probably feel pity for you, seeing how much you’ve been through. You’ve carried more than most since you were young.”
Fernanda’s voice was gentle, like a soft, comforting breeze that seeped into Neal’s soul, gradually melting the ice that had surrounded it for so long.
“You’ve been independent for a long time, but your experience with the world is still a little narrow,” Fernanda began, her words thoughtful. “Take me, for example. My own family has its share of struggles, and I wasn’t raised in the best conditions. But I’ve never been ashamed of it. People may have laughed, but so what? Look at where I am now. Your past doesn’t have to be a burden, Neal. You’re being too hard on yourself. You’re only human, and there’s so much that’s out of your control.”
Neal’s dry lips parted, and in a voice that was raspy and fragile, he spoke. “But… don’t people love flawless images? The kind of person they can admire? They probably picture me as this perfect, handsome, gaming genius—wealthy, smart, from a happy family. But that’s not me. My family’s far from happy. Sometimes, I…”
“Feel so small in this run-down place, like an ant. I can’t even bear for anyone to see where I live during my streams… I’m not brave or confident. I’m weak, insecure, shallow, vain.”
𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓻𝓸𝓸𝓽: 𝓰⍶𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒𝓬𝓸𝓶
He knew how he came across during his live streams—charming and humorous. But the humor had been a shield, something he’d crafted since childhood to make up for the loneliness caused by his father. He wanted people to laugh and like him, so he became the class clown. Fans had often inquired about his family, but he always kept quiet. He let them believe whatever they wanted, letting them imagine he was the perfect, wealthy heir. He’d seen those comments, but instead of correcting them, he let them stand, silently embracing the idealized version they’d created for him.
It felt like the only way to escape the shadows of his past.
“You have to confront these things, Neal,” Fernanda said, her voice firm but caring. “It’s not a big deal. It won’t ruin your career. Will your friends turn their backs on you for it? No. We’re all adults. We can make our own decisions.”
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