Chapter 109

Eleanor's POV

I leaned back against the leather seat of my car, eyes closed, trying to shed the emotional weight of tonight's scene. Six hours of filming a breakdown, and my character's pain still clung to me like a second skin.

"You did amazing tonight, Eleanor," Alice's voice came softly from the front seat. "Take some rest. We've got about forty minutes until we reach your place."

I managed a slight nod, not opening my eyes. The gentle hum of the car's engine and the distant sound of late-night traffic were almost enough to lull me into sleep.

"Did you see what happened at Battle of the Needle today?" My assistant's excited whisper caught my attention. "It was like watching a movie unfold in real time."

My eyes fluttered open. "What about it? Did Serena win?"

"She absolutely crushed it!" The enthusiasm in my assistant's voice made me smile despite my exhaustion. She caught herself and quickly added, "Though of course, you're still my number one idol, Eleanor."

I waved off her concern, sitting up straighter. "Tell me everything."

"Well, Evelyn tried to sabotage Serena's performance," my assistant continued, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "But Serena caught on and turned the tables. You should have seen Evelyn's face when her plan backfired. It was epic!"

The satisfaction in her voice matched the warmth spreading through my chest. I reached for my phone, curious to see the coverage for myself. A quick search brought up dozens of articles, and I found myself smiling at the headlines praising Serena's victory.

Then my thumb froze mid-scroll.

There, beneath the competition coverage, was a photo that felt like a punch to the gut: Jace escorting Evelyn from the venue, his hand protectively at her elbow. The timestamp showed it was taken just hours ago.

"Eleanor?" Alice's concerned voice seemed to come from very far away. "You should try to get some sleep. It's been a long day."

"Yes," I murmured, letting my phone drop into my lap. "Just resting my eyes."

I turned toward the window, grateful for the darkness that hid my reflection. A single tear rolled down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away.

"How can Jace throw away his reputation like this?" assistant's voice rose with indignation. "Doesn't he know that anyone associated with Evelyn right now will be-"

"That's enough," Alice cut in sharply. I caught her quick glance in my direction through the rearview mirror. "Eleanor needs to rest."

I kept my expression carefully neutral, though my fingers tightened imperceptibly around my phone.

By the time we reached Serena's apartment, the city had settled into its late-night quiet. I expected to find lights on, perhaps even a small celebration for her victory. Instead, darkness greeted me.

"Serena?" My voice echoed in the empty space. No answer.

I pulled out my phone again, this time dialing Serena's number. Straight to voicemail. I tried Lucas next, with the same result. A knot of worry began to form in my stomach.

After a moment's hesitation, I called Drew.

"Eleanor! To what do I owe this late-night pleasure?"

"Have you seen Lucas? I can't reach him or Serena."

There was a telling pause on the other end. "No idea, but after Serena's stunning performance tonight... let's just say if I were Lucas, I wouldn't be answering my phone either."

"Drew," I warned, though I couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Hey, want to grab a drink? Sounds like you could use one."

I sank deeper into Serena's plush sofa. "Not tonight. We're wrapping up filming soon. I'll have a few days off after that - I promise to make it up to you then."

"I'll hold you to that," he chuckled before hanging up.

The apartment

fell silent again. I found myself wondering, not for the first time, how long it takes to forget someone. To unlearn the way he smile, the sound of his laugh, the feeling of his hand at your elbow.

Some say time heals all wounds. But sitting alone in the dark, watching the city lights dance across empty walls, I wondered if some memories simply refuse to fade - if some people leave marks on our hearts that no amount of time can erase.