She gasped. “He didnotsay that!”
Laughing even louder, Valentina took a seat back onto the couch. “Yes, he did! It was when you left us to fend for ourselves in your living room after the entire getting tailed fiasco. He said that and so much more, but I’ll spare you the details because holyfuckyou’re as red as my favorite lipstick shade.”
She shook her head at her husband’s protective self.
Valentina chuckled once more before her voice lowered. “But honestly, I thought his threats were cute. They show how much he genuinely cares about you. I’m happy knowing you found someone like that because if anyone in the world deserves it, it’s you.”
“I genuinely care about him too,” Emily admitted softly. “I really do.”
“I can tell as much,” Valentina sighed. “And E?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t let revenge steal your happiness. You’re worth more than that, and I’d hate to see you lose yourself in the process.”
The crew was wrappingup the last day of filming forDon’t Break My Spirit.The staff came out with a celebratory cake for the cast to cut. Valentina had hugged Emily and said she had to leave early.
Taylor cleared his throat from beside her. “So this is it, huh? Can’t believe we’re done. These months flew by.”
“Thank you, Taylor.”
He blinked. “For what?”
“Being a good cast mate to me.”
He chuckled. “Emily, I’m happy to have been that guy for you. You know this.”
This was the last time they’d see each other for a short while. The movie promotions and premiere wasn’t until the next four months or so.
“At least we’ll see each other at the wrap party after New Year’s,” he added with a soft smile.
Oh yes, they still had that.
Emily nodded before finding her way over to Talia. Her manager was busy talking on the phone, so she took a seat on the chair to the side, watching the staff packed up the rest of the equipment.
In the corner of his eye, Director Tsang caught sight of her and eagerly made a beeline. Emily stood up promptly. “Emily, so glad I caught you one last time before you left. Just wanted to give a reminder about the wrap party.”
“Wouldn't miss it for the world.”
“Of course not, it’d be a disaster if our lead was to go missing on such an important day. There’ll be lots of press so imagine the embarrassment. God, I don’t even want to.”
“Don’t worry. My agency has made me aware.”
He grinned. “Fantastic! I’ll see you in a few weeks, Miss Academy Award Winner.”
Talia crept up as he disappeared. “You ready?”
Her throat suddenly burned with emotions. “Like I’ve never been before.”
Reality was starting to hit her.
Emily had just finished her first production. Afterfouryears. Her body was flooded with relief, but also pride. She’d finally made peace with what had happened. For the first time, the future felt like something she could walk toward without a sense of fear.
42
Ahelicopter waited on the private pad of the roof. David led her to it. Nicolas had called and told her to let his assistant do his job and not question anything.
Nicolas stepped down the descending stairs of the aircraft like a model would.
