Chapter 89: Ambush
"Cut!"
The director’s voice rang through the set, snapping Charlotte out of the gut-wrenching emotions she had just poured into the scene.
She had been screaming at her so-called ex-husband moments ago, her body shaking with desperation, but now she forced herself to take a deep breath and step back.
Her mind was still tangled in the intensity of it all, her nerves on edge as if she truly believed she was in danger and that someone had really stolen her child.
She blinked rapidly, grounding herself back into reality.
Around her, the crew remained respectfully quiet, giving her space. They all knew that when an actor fully immersed themselves in a role, it took a moment to return to normal.
Charlotte wiped the wet streaks from her cheeks and took deep breaths several times. The weight in her chest eased slightly, and as she finally looked up, a soft, warm smile replaced the distress on her face.
"Great job today, Ethan," she said.
Ethan, who had been watching her with wide eyes, let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He was still stunned by how effortlessly she had switched from overwhelming grief to casual conversation.
"No," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "You were incredible, Charlotte." He let out an awkward chuckle, running a hand through his hair. "I have to admit ... for a second, I was actually convinced I kidnapped your daughter."
Charlotte laughed, finally feeling the tension leave her shoulders. "That means we did our job well, right?"