Page 65 of You. Me. Us.

“He’s manipulating you,” she mutters to herself, shaking her head. “He just wants to use you, to control you.”

Even as the words left her lips, Hillary couldn’t help but consider the possibility that Ethan might be her best chance at surviving in this new world. Julius had promised to be there for her, to help her navigate the challenges of fame, but she didn’t really believe that. Not after this.

“Maybe Ethan’s right,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as she stepped out of the elevator. “Maybe I do need someone to show me the ropes, to help me stay safe in this crazy spotlight.”

Starring at the phone in her hand, her thumb hovered over the reply space. It would be so easy to give in, to accept Ethan’soffer and let him guide her through this new chapter of her life. But something holds her back, a nagging sense of unease that she can’t quite shake.

With a heavy sigh, Hillary put the phone in her pocket, the screen still glowing with Ethan’s message. She knew she couldn’t make that decision now, not when her emotions were raw and her heart so broken.

But perhaps there was something to let the villain help write the end of the story.

twenty-seven

. . .

Julius slumped in the chair,staring down at his restless hands tapping on his legs as Louisa droned on about upcoming projects and schedules. His agent’s office suddenly felt claustrophobic, the walls too close. Julius half-listened, offering an occasional nod or grunt of acknowledgment.

“You’re not yourself today, Julius. What’s going on?” Louisa asked, raising an eyebrow.

Julius sighed deeply. “Nothing, I’m fine. Just tired.” He forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

His agent frowned but didn’t press further. “Well, let’s wrap this up then so you can get some rest before heading to set. One movie ends, another project begins. You’ll be in rehearsals and blocking, pausing only for the press tour for Starborn Alliance.”

Julius’s thoughts drifted to her as he went through the motions of the meeting, his thoughts only truly on Hillary. Her green eyes sparkling with laughter, the lilt of her voice, the warmth of her touch. He shook his head, trying to dispel the bittersweet memories. It was over. He needed to accept that and move on.

“You’re not listening?”

“No, I’m not.” he sighed. “I’m sorry, Louisa. Raincheck?”

“Get to set. Rebecca wanted to talk to you about upcoming scenes. This could be your last movie together. Better make it count.”

Nodding he rose and headed out, walking the distance to set where Rebecca stood just outside the studio door waiting. She greeted him with a friendly smile, but her eyes immediately turned to concern as she took in the weariness etched on his face.

“You look like hell,” she said bluntly. “Rough meeting with your agent?”

“Something like that.” Julius rubbed the back of his neck. “Let’s just focus on the next film. Where did we end up this iteration of the script?”

Rebecca handed him the pages, concern still flickering in her expression. As they began discussing ideas for their final battle, Julius tried to immerse himself in the fictional world, desperate for a distraction from the ache in his chest. But every romantic scene, every declaration of undying devotion, only served as a painful reminder of what he had lost. Of the woman he couldn’t seem to forget, no matter how hard he tried.

Julius stared blankly at the script, the words blurring before his eyes. Rebecca’s voice faded into the background as his mind wandered, images of Hillary flooding his thoughts. The way her eyes crinkled when she laughed, the softness of her skin beneath his fingertips, the way she fit perfectly in his arms...

“Julius?” Rebecca’s gentle touch on his arm jolted him back to the present. “You’re not really here, are you?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Becca. I can’t seem to focus.”

Rebecca’s gaze softened with understanding. “It’s her, isn’t it? The girl from your last movie, the one from con. The one with Ethan”

Julius’s heart clenched at the mention of her. “She’s not with Ethan,” he ground. “ Besides, I don’t know what you’re talking about. There are lots of girls, you know me.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Julius. I know you, and I can see it in your eyes. You miss her, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she broke your heart ending up with Ethan.”

“Don’t say his fucking name. It’s bad enough we have to work with him.” The teaser tour was over, but if he never saw Ethan again, it would be too soon. He crossed a line with Hillary.

“If you’re this messed up, go fix it. I adore Ethan, but he’s not you. She knows that, too.”

He swallowed hard, the truth of her words hitting him like a punch to the gut. “It doesn’t matter. She’s gone, and I have to accept that.”

Rebecca shook her head. “Maybe she was just in over her head. Maybe you should talk to her, try to make things right.”

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