The Los Angeles sun blazed outside the walls of Warner Bros. studio, but inside, the atmosphere felt like a time machine forced to stop in the nineteenth century. Julian stood upright, allowing the costume designer to adjust the collar of the heavy wool shirt that itched against his neck. He was no longer Julian Caldwell, known to the world as a top actor. Now, he was Elyas. A man obsessed, a man full of secrets.
Selena Harrington emerged from behind the velvet curtain, wearing a gown that looked like spilled moonlight. She smiled, a smile she had practiced in front of the mirror for hours, a smile that to the audience would look like unspoken love.
"Ready to make people believe, Julian?" Selena whispered. Her voice was soft, but there was a sharpness hidden beneath that gentleness.
Julian gave a brief nod. "Always."
