a long, steady breath. When her gaze lifted again, everything abou

mprov, taking command of the

ich velvet, gliding through a lone, final waltz among the charred remnants of war. Each step l

director and producers watched in silenc

rough her spine. She faltered, all color draining from her face as a stifled, uneven breath tore fr

. He wasn't watching a performer anymore. He was looking at Alexandra herself-fata

struggling against the wind. The agony in her gaze slow

ge, that final glimmer of victory easing into the still hush of a story come to rest-a deep, m

f back. "Incredible!" he shouted, his voice charg

o applause, yet Declan stayed where he w

ing the lead from a single scene is downright irresponsible! We still ha

at him as though h

ble? Someo

to the lead investor, security w

lee. She understood Declan's game p

tent on backing your favorite, then bring her in for a comparison re

ly watch as Kaylee dipped into a polite bow toward the director

his hand snapping shut around her wrist like iron. "You'

g in her chest. "Oh? The two of you look awfully close. It's obvious you don't respect

unfiltered disbelief swe

n who once clung to every word he uttered, the

rsuading himself it was nothing mo

ding calm. "Are you seriously going to toss aside our wedding over a film? Kayl

d fiance. "You're meant to be my wife. An acting career doesn't suit y

ful housewife' nonsense? I hate to disappoint you, but my life's ambition isn't to sit pretty as your little trophy wife. I've already severed th

ile. "Trash finds its match. May you s

arrowed, his pu

etely lost her g

tured. He surged forward, his face contorting into somethi

ped. "Let me spell it out for you-the film's main backer is my un

at him, visi

ehind this project be Declan's u

director you'll quit and give the role to Joyce; then you come back and marry me. You'll live the

ce drifted through the hallway. "So... this is how you'