The morning light streamed through the window, softly illuminating the room.
Aurora picked up her phone from the bedside table and skimmed the screen. There were no new messages, no calls—only a clear notification from Lucas: "The divorce will be finalized soon."
With a heavy sigh, she set the phone aside and wandered around the room she shared with Sophia.
Her eyes settled on the framed photo of herself from years past, hanging on the wall.
The actress in the picture seemed like a distant memory, one that had slipped away with the resignation letter she'd signed three years ago.
She had given up the glitz and glamour, choosing instead to live a quieter life, only to find herself back at square one after the divorce.
Her phone buzzed on the table, a reminder of what she had planned to do - audition for acting roles.
She disguised her face and used a different name during her acting days, a tactic she'd employed to maintain her privacy. But now, she wanted to return to the industry under her real name, free from the shadow of her past success.
Hades's offer to use his connections was tempting but rejected firmly. She knew she had to prove herself again without relying on her family's influence.
Aurora took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and picked up her bag.
She had dressed carefully for the day, opting for a fitted black turtleneck paired with dark, high-waisted jeans that accentuated her slender figure.
Over it, she wore a sleek, tailored grey trench coat that reached just above her knees.
Her hair, usually styled in loose waves for public appearances, was pulled back into a low, neat ponytail, and she kept her makeup minimal—just a hint of mascara and nude lipstick.
The audition studio was located in a bustling part of the city, surrounded by towering buildings and flashing billboards.
As Aurora stepped into the sleek, modern building, her nerves began to settle, the familiar buzz of the city outside fading into the background.
She checked in at the reception desk, her hands slightly trembling as she handed over her application.
The waiting area was filled with aspiring actors, each one brimming with their own dreams and hopes.
Aurora took a seat, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She glanced around, noting the mixture of familiar and unfamiliar faces. This was a new environment, one she would have to navigate on her own.
When her name was finally called, she rose from her seat and followed the assistant into the audition room.
The space was simple but professional, with a single chair and a large mirror on one wall.
The casting director greeted her with a warm smile, and Aurora returned the gesture, determined to make a good impression.
"Good luck," the casting director said as she took her seat behind a desk.
Aurora nodded, taking a moment to centre herself before beginning her performance.
She chose a monologue from Crossfire, a screenplay known for its dramatic and action-packed scenes. She had prepared thoroughly, knowing the role required both emotional depth and physical skill.
Aurora began her monologue with strong belief, her voice steady and clear.
"I was trained to be a soldier, not a hero," she said, her eyes reflecting the character's determination. "They told me the mission was simple—eliminate the target and get out. But the world isn't as simple as they said. I found that out the hard way."
She transitioned smoothly into her physical performance, demonstrating her agility and strength.
She mimicked the actions with accuracy. A quick roll on the floor simulated a narrow escape, followed by a series of swift, controlled kicks as if she were disarming an opponent. Her movements were firm, conveying the character's readiness for action.
The monologue reached its peak as Aurora delivered the climactic lines. "When they came for me, I was ready. I fought not just for survival but for something greater. I fought for the truth, for justice, for every innocent life that could be saved by my actions. I won't back down, not now, not ever."
For her final move, Aurora executed a dramatic, high-flying kick, landing firmly on her feet.
She held her pose, her chest rising and falling with controlled breaths as she finished the performance.
The room was silent for a moment, and then the casting director leaned forward, a spark of interest in her eyes.
"That was impressive," the director said, her voice carrying a note of genuine admiration. "Your physicality and intensity are exactly what we're looking for in this role."
Aurora felt a flicker of hope. This could be her chance to start fresh, to rebuild her career on her own terms.
But just as the director was about to say more, the door to the audition room swung open.
Julia Mayhem, the current darling of the industry, walked in with a flashing smile. Her entrance was immediately met with a chorus of excited whispers from the other actors and actresses in the waiting area.
"Julia! We didn't know you were auditioning for this role!" one of the actresses gushed, rushing over to greet her.
Now flanked by her circle of admirers, Julia barely spared Aurora a glance as she addressed the casting director. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to drop by and discuss the role you mentioned to me last week."
The director's focus shifted entirely to Julia, her earlier interest in Aurora fading.
"Of course, Julia," she said, rising from her seat with a smile. "We've been looking forward to seeing you. Let's talk."
Aurora stood awkwardly to the side, feeling the hopeful energy drain out of her.
She knew how these things worked—when a star like Julia showed interest, everyone else was overshadowed.
As Julia chatted animatedly with the director, her gaze finally landed on Aurora. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Julia's lips as if she found the situation amusing.
Aurora's heart sank further, knowing that her chances had just evaporated.
When the director excused herself to continue the conversation with Julia in private, the other actors and actresses swarmed around Julia, showering her with compliments.
Aurora felt the sting of being overshadowed, but she wasn't ready to walk away without trying one last time.
As the other actors and actresses fawned over Julia, Aurora approached the casting director, who had initially praised her performance.
"Excuse me," Aurora said, her voice gentle but with a hint of urgency. "I was wondering when I might be able to come back for a callback or another audition?"
The casting director, who had been preparing to leave with Julia, paused and looked at Aurora with pity.
She sighed, glancing at Julia, who was still surrounded by admirers, before turning her attention back to Aurora.
"I'm sorry, Aurora," the director said, her tone soft but firm. "You were great—really—but with Julia's interest in the role, we won't need to hold further auditions for this part. I'm afraid it wouldn't be worth your time to come back."
Aurora's heart sank as the words hit her hard. She'd expected a challenge, but not to be dismissed so easily.
"But—" she began, searching for some way to argue her case.
The director cut her off gently, her expression apologetic. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but in this business, timing and connections matter just as much as talent. Julia's a big name, and she has a lot of influence. The producers want her on board, and that means the role is as good as hers."
Aurora bit her lip, forcing herself to keep her composure. She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Thank you for your time," she managed to say, her voice tight with disappointment.
The director gave her a small, sympathetic smile. "Don't let this discourage you. Keep auditioning—you've got something special. But for this one... it's out of your hands."
Aurora nodded again, then turned to leave the room, trying to maintain her dignity.
As she walked past the group surrounding Julia, she couldn't help but overhear their conversation.
"Did you hear? Lucas gave Julia a twenty-million-dollar welcome gift and houses," one of the actors said, clearly impressed.
Julia's voice was bright and boastful. "Oh, that's just the beginning. Lucas has been so generous since we reconnected. It's all so overwhelming, but what can I say? I guess he knows how to treat someone who appreciates him."
The others laughed, one of them adding, "Sounds like Lucas is smitten. Maybe you'll catch his heart for good this time, Julia."
As the conversation continued, a delivery man walked into the waiting area holding a large bouquet of roses. The room fell silent as everyone watched him approach Julia.
"These are for Julia Mayhem," the man announced, handing over the bouquet.
Julia accepted the flowers with a smile, pulling out the card attached.
She read it aloud, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "To Julia, from Lucas Rossi. Can't wait to see you shine. Love, Lucas."
A collective murmur of excitement swept through the room.
"Wow! You're so lucky, Julia," one of the actresses gushed.
"First the gifts, now flowers… Lucas really knows how to spoil you," another added, admiration clear in her voice.
Julia's smile widened as she basked in the attention, soaking up every word.
Watching the scene unfold, Aurora's grip tightened on her bag.
Hearing Lucas's name stung more than she wanted to admit, serving as a harsh reminder of everything she'd lost—not just her career, but the man she had hoped would be hers.
She hurried out of the building, each remark from Julia and the others biting at her.
Once outside, she paused, trying to shake off the sting of rejection. It wasn't just the failed audition or Julia's gloating—it was the cruel reality that Lucas was moving on, showering someone else with the kind of attention she had once hoped for.
But she wouldn't let that break her. As difficult as this setback was, it only fueled her determination to press on, to prove herself in a way that no one—not even Lucas—could ignore.