I Stopped Loving Him When He Let Me Bleed Out novel Chapter 56

"For this scene, The Commander is going to pin The Spring Muse to the ground, tear her collar open, and force a kiss on her."

"What kind of garbage plot is that?" Sienna shot back without hesitation.

Director Cross glared at her.

"You have to shoot it. It's an enemies-to-lovers trope. It's exactly what audiences want right now. If you refuse, you're in breach of contract."

Sienna replied with icy calm.

"That's not romance. That's assault."

The director flicked his cigarette ash, his tone insufferably light.

"That's how the script is written, and you signed the contract. If you don't want to act, fine. The penalty is three hundred thousand. Pay it up front in full, and you can get the hell out of here."

"three hundred thousand?" Sienna snapped her head toward Landon.

That was absolutely not what had been discussed.

But Landon cowardly avoided her gaze.

A wave of deep disappointment washed over Sienna. Clearly, it was a mistake to ever trust anyone so easily.

Director Cross then turned his attention to Finn.

"With a face like yours, I'm sure you've had plenty of experience with women throwing themselves at you. This time, you get to do the throwing. Act it out properly. Don't disappoint me."

Finn stared right through him.

"I'm not doing it."

The director's smug expression faltered.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I'm not doing it." Finn's voice wasn't loud, but every syllable cut through the air with absolute clarity. "She hates the plotline. So, I will not do it."

The director turned green with fury. He pointed at Finn, then at Sienna, thrusting his finger frantically between them.

"You... you two think you run this place?!" He slammed his hand hard against the table.

Finn hadn't signed a contract, so there was nothing Julian could use against him, but Sienna was a different story.

He jabbed his finger aggressively at Sienna.

"Sienna, if you refuse to shoot this, I'm done playing nice. Pay the penalty, or you can kiss your precious doctor job goodbye! Don't believe me? Let's take it to court and see who bleeds out first!"

Sienna's heart plummeted.

She had only been working for a year. Her salary was modest, barely enough to cover her living expenses.

She didn't have three hundred thousand lying around.

Seeing her silence, the director let out a cruel sneer.

Her face was completely devoid of emotion, like a pool of stagnant water.

She was forcing herself into a humiliating position simply because she had no other choice.

Director Cross clapped his hands triumphantly.

"Excellent. Get into positions!"

He didn't even bother asking Finn if he was still on board, firmly believing that no sane man would ever turn down such a lucky break.

The studio lights were dimmed.

Sienna lay back on the padded mat, her pale moonlight-colored dress fanning out around her like shattered petals in the wind.

Finn knelt beside her. The heavy metal of his armor pressed down against the folds of her skirt, the icy plates brushing against her calf.

He planted his hands on the mat on either side of her shoulders, carefully ensuring he wasn't touching her skin.

Sienna's heart was racing.

For a split second, she felt exactly like she had when they were first in love.

She had adored Finn so completely, a visceral, physical need that made her want to cling to him every waking second of the day.

The director's voice boomed from behind the monitors.

"Pin her down! Tear the collar! Kiss her!"