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14
Soon, I began a rigorous training schedule and made rapid progress. During one of our acting assessments, Director Jake’s eyes lit up with amazement.
“Incredible,” he said, stunned. “In just two weeks, you’ve grasped techniques that some professionals spend decades trying to master. You were born for this.”
That evening, Director Jake invited me to his home. His wife, Mira, had prepared a full table o delicious dishes.
“You poor child, you’re far too thin!” she exclaimed, her brows furrowed with concern. “Celia come over more often. I’ll cook you nourishing meals to build you back up.”
‘Thank you, Aunt Mira. I… I really don’t know how to repay you and Director Jake…” I stammere overwhelmed by the warmth.
I’d never known such kindness before. Growing up with my adoptive mother, I never experience maternal love. Even after returning to the Wren family, though Mrs. Wren tried to care for me, sh never treated me like she did Ava. For two years, I was little more than a shadow in tha household.
Now, in a foreign city with strangers, I was being treated with genuine affection. It felt unfamilia -unreal, even. I didn’t know how to respond. I grew cautious, almost afraid to let myself feel it. But Mira seemed to understand everything. Director Jake must have told her about my past. He eyes filled with tears as she reached out and pulled me into a tight hug.
‘This is your home now, Celia,” she said softly. “You don’t have to hold back. Eat whatever yo ike, ask for whatever you need. You’re a good girl-you’ve suffered so much already. Auntie jus wants you to be happy from now on, alright?”
And just like that, the dam broke.
The tears I’d kept locked away for so long spilled over-not out of sadness or pain, but from warmth, from being seen, from finally feeling safe.
‘Okay… thank you, Aunt Mira,” I whispered.
cried like a child in her arms-loud, messy, unrestrained. This time, I didn’t have to reac anyone’s expression. I didn’t have to suppress myself to survive.
Eventually, I fell asleep in her embrace.
When I woke, the moonlight streamed through the window, and neon lights flickered outside painting the city in a dreamlike glow. In the living room, the lights were still on. I could hear Director Jake and Mira talking softly.
“… But isn’t it just a minor role? She only appears for a few minutes.”
“True, but it’s explosive. Short, but unforgettable. If she nails it, people will remember her.”
I stepped quietly into the room.
“Director Jake,” I said, “I’m willing to try any role, no matter how small.”
He turned, surprised, then smiled.
“Good. It’s settled then.”
The next morning, he sent me the script. I didn’t have many lines, but the character’s story was powerful-rooted in deep loss and vengeance.
The pain I’d lived through, the emotional control I’d honed in prison for over twenty years, allowed me to fully embody the role. It felt like second nature.
On the day of filming, I arrived on set early. The assistant director took one look at me and frowned.
“This is the actress?” he muttered, pulling Director Jake aside. “She looks too young. This role’s tough-one wrong move and she could ruin the entire scene. Why are we using a newcomer?”
Director Jake simply clapped him on the shoulder.
“Just trust me.”
From the moment the camera started rolling, the set fell silent. I slipped into the character completely-grief, fury, restraint all wrapped into one. The intensity of my performance stunned everyone on set.
Even in my scenes opposite Oscar Mayer, the industry’s top actor, I didn’t falter. I held my own When the internal team reviewed the footage, praise poured in.
“Director Jake’s done it again-what an eye for talent!”
After filming wrapped for the day, Oscar came over and smiled.
“You acted well,” he said. “Say, your last name’s Monroe too. Are you and the director related His middle name is Monroe too.”
Flustered, I waved my hands. “No, no! I could never be that lucky!”
He laughed and gave me a friendly wave. “Well, good work today. See you around.”
It felt surreal. My first real acting experience, and I’d shared the screen with Oscar himself. I didn’t expect someone so legendary to be so kind and approachable.
That night, I couldn’t sleep at all, replaying every moment on set.
My new life was finally beginning.
–
But far away, back in the Thorne household…
Ever since the wedding, Daniel had grown increasingly agitated. Ava’s sudden departure haunted him. Her cold, decisive exit had left him sleepless.
He began frantically searching for me, sending people to every corner of the city. But two weeks passed, and I was nowhere to be found.
Then one night, a breathless subordinate rushed into his study.
“Mr. Thorne! We’ve uncovered the truth behind the car accident and your wife’s imprisonment- just like you asked!”
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