he Los Angeles skyline in hues of gold and lavender. The beauty of the city always felt like a contrad

s and sharper words, had unsettled me. And Viktor's cryptic response when I asked about them only added to the tension. But despit

n I opened it, Richard stood there, holding a leat

inside without waiting for an invi

ed, closing the

your rehearsals so far. Gavin's been singi

ce, a welcome reprieve from the cl

I said, settling onto

a few other directors. They've heard about your comeback and

e first time in years, I felt like I was standing on solid groun

said, looking up at hi

ng genuine. "You've always had the talent, Evelyn

them wouldn't make them disappear, and I needed clarity if I was going to let him remain a part of

stery. His sharp suit and calm demeanor made him seem unto

night," I began, trying

ying at his lips. "Tense? That's not a

on," I countered. "Who were those men at the gala,

ion. For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze f

nally said. "And my business is comp

bling to the surface. "If I'm going to be part

ke yours. It's not built on scripts and rehearsals. It's built on risk, on strategy,

e hint of the man beneath the facade

t brief pause was all

, pouring everything into my performance. But even there, Viktor's shadow loomed. He attended one of the

ng," he said bluntly. "Whatever's going on outside this

nsume me, not when I was so close to reclaiming my place in the industry. That nigh

delicate gold necklace, its pendant shaped like a bridge. There was no note, but I knew it was from Viktor.

led him, determined

o do this," I said

eplied simply. "It

sked, fingering the

life you've known to the life you deserve. And I

romantic and foreboding, a reflection of the man himse

uction team was present, and the pressure was palpable. As I stepped onto the stage, I felt the fam

wing effortlessly. When it ended, the applause was dea

waiting for," he said.

hed over me. But it was quickly overshadowed when I noticed a f

ormance," he sai

here?" I asked, both

t," he replied, his tone as smooth

his praise. But before I could respond, he s

"Things are about to get... complicated. And

ease through me. "Viktor, w

se. "Just promise me, Evelyn

my heart poundi

eeling that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't yet compreh