CHAPTER 141: WHEN HIS WORDS HELD ME TOGETHER (2)

The memory of seeing my sketchbook burn was something I could use to portray Mia’s rage. Yes, not sadness, but rage.

Because when someone destroys the one thing that keeps us sane, the only thing left inside us is pure rage.

I held that memory tightly, letting it wash over me, not to hurt myself again, but to remind myself how it felt. The shock. The sting. The slow burn of anger crawling up my chest.

I let all of that settle inside me as I stepped into Mia’s shoes.

Brian looked up from his script. "Alright," he said calmly, "start reading whenever you’re ready."

The room wasn’t silent—papers rustled, chairs squeaked, people whispered—but somehow, it all faded into the background because my mind was already focused on the scene.

I took one more breath, then began reading.

The moment I said the first line, the emotion slipped out naturally. My voice trembled at the right moment, and even though this was only a script reading, tears still gathered in my eyes without me trying.

I wasn’t acting with my body—just with my voice, my tone, and my expressions—but somehow, that alone was enough to make the whole room feel tighter, and quieter.

Tommy’s eyes widened a little, and even a few executives stopped flipping their pages. The words came out of me as if they were mine, not Mia’s. As if the anger was real and burning inside me.

By the time I read the part where Mia’s voice breaks, I genuinely felt her frustration, her disbelief, and the heartbreak that turns into rage.

When I finished the last line, the room went quiet for a moment. No one said anything, but it wasn’t an awkward silence. It felt like everyone was processing what they had just heard.

Brian slowly set down his pen. "That," he said, sounding impressed, "is exactly the emotion I wanted from this scene."

My shoulders relaxed a little. My heart was still racing, but not from anxiety this time, but it was from relief.

Tommy let out a small breath. "Helcia... that was really good."

I wiped the corner of my eye and gave him a small smile. "Thank you... I just tried my best."

Not long after, I heard someone start clapping, followed by the others. One by one, I received praises from them, even from the ones who laughed at me earlier.

"You did really well!"

"Wow, that was such a golden performance!"

"Are you sure you’re a newcomer? You’ve never acted in a movie before? If you did, I would’ve watched it!"

In the middle of all the praise, Eric, the producer, lifted both thumbs at me. "You really managed to exceed my expectations."

I smiled shyly and tucked my hair behind my ear. Though inside, I couldn’t help grumbling because Eric refused to increase my pay even though I always exceeded his expectations.

[Congratulations, Host! You have completed 50% of your weekly mission!]

[Good luck on your next script reading!]

When Penny reminded me that I still had another script reading tomorrow, I wanted to scream into a pillow.

Why did it feel like my work never ends?!

[Host, you were the one who chose to take two jobs at the same time!]

’Yeah, yeah, I know...’ I muttered in my head.

When the clapping finally faded, Brian clapped his hands once. "Alright! Let’s move on to the next scene!"

The script reading went on until the sun had completely set. I stretched my arms above my head, then held my slightly sore waist.

This was the one thing I hated about script readings. How could people sit for hours without going crazy?!

As for me, I needed to walk every two hours or I’d die of boredom.

"Good work today, everyone!" Brian stood up from his chair and clapped a few times. "This first reading almost reached my expectations, and I hope all of you can be even more confident in the next one."

He gave a short closing speech before letting everyone leave the room. A few actors started inviting their new friends to grab dinner or go karaoke together. When they asked me to join, I smiled and shook my head politely.

"Sorry, I already have another plan after this," I said.

Of course, my "other plan" was simply going home, gathering all my cats on my bed, and snuggling with them until my stress melted away.

I waved goodbye to the group and made my way to the drop-off area. When I saw an SUV driving toward me, I couldn’t stop the grin that stretched across my face.

I opened the door and said cheerfully, "Husband!" I threw myself into the car, unable to contain my happiness. "You came to pick me up?"

At this point, being picked up by Lando on my first workday had somehow become a tradition my heart clung to.

"I just happened to pass by," he said. "How was—"

"Good! Good! My script reading went really well today!" I said before he could even finish his sentence. I leaned toward him and grabbed his hands excitedly. "It’s all thanks to your motivation! Thank you for making me feel better today!"

Lando blinked, a little surprised by how energetic I suddenly became. Then his expression softened, and he gently squeezed my hands back.

"I’m glad," he said quietly. "You did the hard part, not me."

"No," I insisted, shaking my head. "If you didn’t talk to me earlier, I would’ve stayed nervous the whole time. I wouldn’t have been able to focus."

Lando smiled, one of those soft, warm smiles that made his eyes crinkle slightly at the corners. "I’m happy if I can help even a little."

"Not a little," I corrected him. "A lot."

He chuckled under his breath. "Alright, alright. A lot."

The car paused at a red light, and for a moment, he turned fully toward me. "I’m proud of you, Helcia."

My heart skipped a beat. "Really?"

"Really."

I felt my face warm up, and I quickly looked away toward the window, hiding the smile that grew bigger and bigger. "You’re too sweet today," I mumbled.