Chapter 5: Breaking Scripts, Breaking Free

Our relationship drifted along for over a year, until I saw that article. I knew it was over. At the annual awards, Caleb won Best Actor. When the camera panned to Savannah, she looked shy, drawing gasps from the audience. When the camera returned to Caleb, he was looking at her with a gentle gaze. Instagram exploded—rumors about them trended nonstop. I couldn't escape it. Later, someone caught them out together. At an event, a reporter asked Savannah if they were dating.

"You should ask him!" she replied sweetly.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but go see Caleb, who was filming out of town. He was surprised to see me and sent me the hotel address. When he finished work that night, the first thing he said was, "I told you not to bother me when I’m working."

He walked past me to the bathroom. I heard the water running. When he came out, he ignored me and started answering messages.

"Caleb, Director Walker contacted me today. Thanks for helping me get the role."

It was a voice message from Savannah, her voice sticky-sweet.

I walked over. "Is Savannah the female lead in your next show?"

He was silent for two seconds, looking at me coldly. "Yes."

I shook my head, stepping back. "I don’t approve!"

He raised his voice, warning in his tone: "Autumn, don’t interfere with my work."

He turned and walked to the bedroom. I held back tears, following him.

"Anyone but her!"

He looked even colder. "It has to be her."

In that moment, my heart broke. I suddenly went quiet, like a fish that had given up struggling. I was done fighting. I called his name softly.

"Caleb."

I took a deep breath, tears finally overflowing. "Let’s break up."

He froze, and for a moment, I thought he looked hurt. But the next second, I laughed at myself. As if I could hurt him? He was just waiting for me to end it. If he broke up with me and I went public, accusing him of cheating, his career would take a hit. Someone as calm and rational as him always had everything calculated.

"Caleb, are you happy now?"

I wiped my tears and walked to the door. He grabbed me hard.

"Autumn, am I not enough for you? Is that why you’re leaving?"

I closed my eyes, forcing a bitter smile. After all this time, he still thought I was only with him for the opportunities. Fine, let him think what he wants.

I lifted my head stubbornly. "Not enough."

He leaned in, voice low and rough. "Then what do you want?"

I wanted to believe him.

"The female lead in your next show."

I looked at him challengingly. "What, can’t do it?"

"Autumn." He let go and stepped back, his face calm again. "You’re not worthy."

"Then the second female lead. If not, we’re done."

I left without looking back. I didn't cry until I got home.

A week later, I got a call from the production team inviting me to play Riley Bennett, the second female lead in "Listening to the Rain." I almost said no. I’d only demanded the role out of anger, but after reading the script, I found the character was brilliant—independent, clear-headed in love, and decisive when letting go. It was my senior year, and I had plenty of time, so I took the role.

During filming, my scenes were often scheduled last. Sometimes we’d wrap up in the middle of the night. But I got into character quickly, and filming went smoothly. The director and crew were pleased.

On the final day, I had two major scenes. One was opposite Savannah. As soon as the director called action—

"Slap!" She hit me across the face. Everyone froze. The director hurriedly called cut and gently reminded her, "Savannah, we agreed to fake the slap."

She feigned innocence. "Sorry, director, I got caught up in the moment."

She looked at me. "Sorry, Autumn!"

I shook my head, signaling to continue. Another slap. "Sorry, I missed the angle! Let’s try again."

By now, everyone knew what was going on, but no one spoke up. Filming continued. When the director finally called it, Savannah shook out her hand. "Hitting people really hurts."

People looked at me with sympathy. The makeup artist rushed over to cover the marks. "Hang in there, just one more scene."

I nodded. Outside, some crew members whispered:

"Savannah went too far—six slaps!"

"Serves her right. What did she expect, stealing someone’s boyfriend?"

"You mean she stole Caleb?"

"I doubt it. She never stands near him except during scenes."

"Please. Like you’d even notice? Caleb always waits for her to finish filming before leaving."

"Didn’t see that coming. She’s got skills."

...

My last scene was with Caleb. As he stepped onto the set, he seemed to sense something was off. When he saw my face, he hesitated.

When the cameras rolled, I looked at him with total indifference. He faltered for a second but quickly picked up his lines.

"Riley, are you really leaving?"

"Yeah."

I improvised: "If I had another chance, I’d choose not to get close to you."

My final look back at him was empty, barren.

Suddenly, he pulled me into his arms, gripping my chin as if to kiss me.

"Cut!" The director stood up. "Keep this take—great improv, lots of layers!"

"Autumn, that’s a wrap!"

Everyone applauded—except Caleb, whose face was dark.

I skipped the wrap party and went straight to the hotel. On the way, I heard that Caleb had fallen from a twenty-foot-high rig. I rushed to the hospital, where someone was being resuscitated after a fall. The swollen, tear-streaked face in the video was mine. It hurt more than I expected. But I have no memory of collapsing at the end. I was just gone. All I remember is waking up in a hospital bed. The nurse told me the person who died was a construction worker, not Caleb. When I found his room, I saw Savannah feeding him soup at the door.