Chapter 16

Silence lingered for a few seconds.

Then, Julian walked over and stopped in front of me. He removed his hat, his grey eyes scrutinizing me carefully, as if verifying that I was intact.

"A brilliant performance," he murmured, a hint of a smile ghosting in his voice. "The Academy really owes you a statuette."

"Thank you," I said, my voice rasping. The moment my taut nerves relaxed, exhaustion rushed