l coming back here after everything-the tension with her brother, and the slow-burning connection with David. But

hard and pushe

at made her skin prickle. The receptionist greeted her wit

hat reflected someone she wasn't sure she recognized anymore. Hair curled

greeted her warmly.

distance. "Let's just

paired with Ethan toda

s go-to performers-professional, smooth, respectful. If s

e: T

ux fireplace flickering in the background. Clara slipped into character with prac

whispered as sh

. "Let's j

trailing across his chest as he pulled her in. Their lips met-not in passion, but in chor

r back as he kissed down her neck, her fingers threading through his hair. They moved to the bed,

owly-nothing rush

thing wa

e. Her breathing quickened, not with desire but with panic

han whisper

spond-but her m

ion wen

rything

-

s on

t!

ng out as Clara's body

call an ambulance!"

ling her head, panic etched into hi

be, covering Clara's exposed body. Her

someone said. "Her

oading her onto a stretcher. The shoo

She was u

--

f antiseptic filled her nose. The so

er stir. "Hey the

, but her head throbb

u were severely dehydrated, and your blood pressure drop

you tested positive for Ch

heart

tics. But if untreated, they can lead to complicati

red at th

ff. The fatigue. The headac

igno

contact anyone?" th

ead. "No. I just

--

ent back to her apartmen

versized hoodie the hospital had let her bor

haven't heard from you. E

the message,

rap parties months ago. What started as flirtation became comfort. Then sex.

dn't

rough. The weight she carried. The sha

er pho

as D

hesi

ans

she c

is voice was warm, but filled with con

l," she said bluntly.

pa

ou oka

red. "I... I have a couple o

other end. For a moment,

"I'm com

es pa

nock on

lowly and

f soup and tea in hand, his face

pped inside, placed the food on the count

sitate. She collapsed into his embrace, burying h

here, steady

s shining. "I don't kn

Y

-

Morning -

, tension simmered j

sals began. But as she walked into the break room, she found D

alked past him to

ra

to me unless it's about t

ade some changes to the final act. You and I..

ed slowly.

urning point between our characters. Sh

ybe she's just trying to bleed

-

Office – La

tion table arms crossed. The room was q

needs closure-or at least emotional chaos they feel. Grace a

ted uncomfortably. "They're

the camera catch what's

Marcus listened,

emotions were being harvested for drama. And yet...

-

- Bedro

Drew entered the room in costume, looking uncomfortable

or called

oom confession.

roached

he said, his voi

"I am. Tired of preten

e her. "I should

eplied coldly. "

of following the next line, Drew whispered,

ad snapped

wasn't in

to say that now

softly

didn't call i

oom f

ed off set, and

-

Cameron'

ed in witho

him go of

r. "No. He made a choice. And y

e snapped. "You don't get to ma

showing your truth. The real story

Not just because you're good. Because I saw myself in you. Driven. Wo

d, hand on

choose you once-define who you

but her mi

-

Clara's Apa

a lover. Not with expec

a while he cooked something

at this," she

?" he ca

omeone fe

out a sh

long moment. "I want to

What would y

t I know who I want t

nd sat beside her, their

let's

wing Week

end, the set f

ed back, givi

own on being supportiv

ed professiona

ent and was working up t

n't left