Jess flips through her notes and I can tell she’s setting up to go all in.
"I appreciate the clarification. While we're on the subject of big decisions, there's been some whispering about your creative direction at Wonderland—particularly regarding the roles and projects green-lit under your watch. Some outlets have even suggested you hired actress Sophia Ford for personal reasons. Care to comment?"
Grant's jaw tightens slightly. He looks determined.
"Yes, and I'd like to be very clear. Sophia Ford was hired because she's extraordinarily talented. Any suggestion that she was given preferential treatment simply because of a personal connection is false."
"So, you're saying your relationship with Sophia didn't influence the casting decisions?"
"Not in the way people assume. I backed her for roles because she's right for them. Our casting team felt the same. Her success speaks for itself."
"Are you still in a relationship with Sophia?"
"Sophia has been an important part of my life and Hazel's life."
Jess smiles and glances over to Grant’s side, winking at Hazel.
"You mentioned your daughter, Hazel. Word on the street is she's been your sidekick at some studio meetings lately. Hi there, Hazel."
Grant smiles down at Hazel, proud of his little girl.
"She's had some free time this summer, and she's made an excellent intern."
My heart aches when I see Hazel snuggle closer to him on the couch.
"Hi," she says, hugging his arm. "Dad said I could be here to show that not everything the press says is true."
"That's very grown-up of you. So, Hazel, how do you feel about all of this? The rumors about your dad, Sophia—everything."
"I think I'm lucky because I have a lot of people who love me. My dad, my mom, and Sophia, too."
"It sounds like you are a very lucky little girl. So, Grant, I have to ask, are you and Sophia officially together?"
Grant sits straighter, his expression changes.
"Actually, Jess, I wanted to set the record straight on all of that. I've spent my career making calculated decisions, weighing every risk. But sometimes, the smartest choice is admitting when you've been wrong. Sophia Ford is one of the most talented artists I've ever worked with. And yes, we did develop a personal relationship, one that I let outside pressure and my own fears derail. That was my mistake, not hers."
"You're being unusually candid.”
"Because I'm done letting speculation and rumors dictate my life—our lives. The press wants to know if I hired Sophia for personal reasons. No, I hired her because she's brilliant. Did our relationship affect business decisions? Only in thatwe both worked twice as hard to keep things professional. But here's what the press hasn't asked. Do I light up every time she walks into a room? Yes. Do I miss coming home and finding her and Hazel watching movies on the couch or the way she covers our fridge with pictures of everyday moments? Every day. Do I regret letting her walk away? Absolutely."
Hazel shifts in her seat eager to talk.
“Dad's been kind of mopey since she left. He still makes her coffee sometimes in the morning."
Grant chuckles, squeezing Hazel’s shoulders.
"Thanks for exposing me, kiddo. Look, I could keep trying to maintain this careful separation between personal and professional, but it’s clearly not working. Sophia makes our lives better. She challenges me to be better, to take risks, to let people in."
He looks directly into the camera, his voice grows more intimate as he speaks directly to me.
"Sophia, I know you're probably wondering why I'm doing this on camera instead of showing up at your door. But there's a point to this. No more hiding, no more letting public perception stand in our way. I want everyone to know exactly how I feel about you. I love how you can command a production meeting and then spend hours helping Hazel with her science projects. I love that you make our house feel like home with your photos and your laughter. And I just…I love you."
"And professionally?"
"Professionally, I respect her too much to let anyone question her achievements. Every success she's had, she's earned. And if anyone has a problem with us being together, they cantake it up with me directly. Though they should probably know that our head of legal is firmly Team Sophia."
"Dad's still got all her favorite snacks in the pantry!”
