Skylar drove to pick up Steven before heading to the film set. When they arrived, they found that the area was sealed off to outsiders.
Skylar tried calling Charles, but he didn’t answer. She even sent a few messages on WhatsApp, but he wasn’t responding to those either.
She asked some of the staff members at the set, but nobody seemed to know who Charles was.
Ever since Charles had joined the entertainment industry, he had worked as a stunt double and occasionally delivered lines for movies. But with the staff acting clueless, Skylar began to wonder if they were being brushed off. If Charles was really part of the crew, wouldn’t someone at least recognize his name?
“Don’t worry. Let’s wait a bit,” Steven said, trying to reassure Skylar.
Skylar nodded, her fingers scrolling through her phone. She reread the last messages she had exchanged with Charles an hour ago. She had told him when she would be there to pick him up, and he had agreed to meet her at that time. Charles was always dependable, so it was unusual for him to not answer his phone.
“Maybe he’s in the middle of filming a scene,” Steven suggested. “It happens sometimes when he’s on set. Let’s just wait a bit longer.”
Skylar nodded again. “Okay, let’s sit and chat while we wait.”
After a moment, Steven shifted the conversation. “By the way, when am I going to meet your husband?”
Skylar had known this question was coming. She blinked before answering. “Steven, I promised him I wouldn’t share anything. But don’t worry, I haven’t been hiding anything from you. It’s just… complicated.”
She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Our marriage probably won’t last long. Something’s happened recently. We might be getting a divorce soon.”
Steven’s frown deepened. “A quick marriage, and now a quick divorce? Are you sure about this, Skylar? Do you know what you’re doing?”
Skylar’s voice softened as she replied, “I know what I’m doing. It’s hard for me to imagine falling in love with anyone again after the divorce. But I don’t regret marrying him. I’ve grown a lot through all of this, and I’ve learned a lot, too. Steven, I just need you to trust me.”
She had kept her marriage to Joe a secret, as they had agreed, but now, with the divorce on the horizon, she was starting to share more with Steven.
Steven looked at her closely, concern in his eyes. He could sense that something had happened during her time with the Williams family that had changed her. She had been loved and cared for by her family, carefree and full of life, but now she seemed different—there was a sadness that lingered in her eyes.
“I’ll keep it from Mom, but if anything happens, you have to tell me immediately,” Steven insisted, his voice filled with worry.
Skylar smiled warmly. “I will, I promise. And look, I’m starting to work with Mr. Gardner Senior’s team tomorrow. I’m on my way to achieving my dreams, Steven. I’m really happy.”
Steven ruffled her hair affectionately, proud of the woman she was becoming. “Go for it, Skye. You’re the bravest of us all.”
“Congratulations to the brave Skye!” Charles’s voice suddenly came from behind them.
They turned to find Charles standing there, looking slightly out of breath. Steven immediately switched to his big brother tone. “Why didn’t you pick up your phone?”
“Oh, I didn’t notice,” Charles replied casually. “They asked me to act in a scene at the last minute, and I wasn’t allowed to have my phone with me.”
Skylar’s eyes narrowed when she noticed the bruises and cuts on Charles’s face. “You’re hurt,” she said, concern creeping into her voice. “How did that happen?”
Steven also noticed the bruises now that Skylar had pointed them out. “There’s bleeding under the skin below your eyes. You should get that checked out.”
Charles was evasive, brushing it off with a quick wave. “It’s nothing serious. A doctor who was visiting the set said it’s just a little accident during filming. It looks worse than it really is, you know how it goes. Sometimes things get overlooked when you’re in character.”
Before they could press further, Charles quickly shifted the topic. “By the way, Skye, you’re amazing! I just looked into Mr. Gardner Senior’s team. Their requirements are super strict, but they offer incredible benefits. It’s one of the best teams in the industry!”
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