After quizzing her, he waited silently for Ivyâs response.
Frantically waving her hands, Ivy explained a bit awkwardly, âWhat? Suggesting Balfour take her to the hospital is like handing over my husband to her? Arenât you getting a little carried away? Giselle isnât feeling well, and it might be better for her to have. someone familiar take her. Thatâs why I said Iâd hitch a ride back with you.â
âSo, youâre completely disregarding your own feelings?â Nolan was nearly at the point of tearing through that thin veil of pretense. Ivy had been deliberately suppressing her own emotions. Despite being visibly upset, her expression on the verge of tears, she put on a grand display of magnanimity, almost as if she were willingly giving her husband away.
Could a friend really go that far?
Ivy managed a strained smile. âNolan, youâre overthinking it. Iâm fine, really! Once we wrap up todayâs scenes, I can head off. Iâll be over the moon!â
Nolan sighed, letting the matter drop, leaving Ivy to maintain her facade of cheerfulness in the solitude of the car.
After a while, the smile on Ivyâs face froze, and she let out a sigh. âEven if I objected, what good would it do? Balfour and Giselle have been close friends for years. If sheâs sick, heâs bound to choose her.â
Finally, she dropped the act, revealing a face full of despondency and exhaustion.
âHow did you two get together in the first place?â The car suddenly stopped, and Nolan turned to face Ivy, who was hiding behind her hands, trying to escape. âYou know, you two donât act much like a married couple.â
Ivy sat up straight, glancing back at him with a hint of guilt. âWhat? Youâve been watching too many soap operas. Maybe some things got lost in translation, but weâre truly husband and wife. I hope you wonât talk like that again; it puts me in a tough spot.â
The two locked eyes in silence for a moment before Nolan finally caved. âAlright, I get it. Here we are.
Iâll walk you in.â
They had arrived at the studio. Ivy declined his offer. âNolan, thanks for the ride, but the lotâs swarming with people, and we donât want the press making up stories.â
Alighting from the car on her own, Ivy turned to express her gratitude to Nolan. âNolan, I really appreciate the lift.â
âI apologize if I came on strong earlier, but I was just being honest. Ivy, if you need help with anything, let me know. Even if Iâm not as capable as my cousin, Iâve got your back,â Nolan said meaningfully.
Ivy was at a loss for words.
Nolan smiled warmly. âDonât stress about it. Iâd do what I can to help. Donât you have an urgent scene to shoot? Go on, then!â
âRight⦠Take care, Nolan.â Ivy waved and hurried into the studio.
As Nolan drove away, another car pulled into the lot, brushing past his.
âColton, whatâs the issue with the scene?â
Ivy dashed in, gasping for air as she came to a stop.
Colton had someone bring her a glass of water. âTake a short break and just listen for now. Itâs not a big deal, really, just a matter of the setting. During the second meeting with David, we situated you by the seaside and explored the female leadâs home. But in my vision, her home should be a place where it frequently rainsâat least the floors should be damp. That would better align with the idea of her growing up by the sea. What do you think?â
Colton was a stickler for details, but he also valued the actorsâ opinions.
Hearing him out, Ivy agreed that the previous dry alleyways didnât quite fit the seaside setting.
Moreover, the ocean was a vital symbol in their film, almost a thread connecting the female lead and David from their meeting to their acquaintance, and even the finale.
Thatâs right, so weâll have to reshoot the beach scenes as well.â Ivy replied.