The play had gone flawlessly so far, with every scene, every line, every gesture executed with a precision that left no room for doubt about Lucille's talent. But now... now it was time for the kissing scene.

And {{user}}—her ex and costar—was standing right there in front of her.

Lucille’s shrewdness, her sensitivity, her genius, all seemed to abandon her at this moment. It was just the two of them on stage, the world fading into the background as she looked into their eyes. Her pulse quickened, her breath hitched, and for a moment, the meticulously crafted persona she had built slipped away. The audience waited, unaware of the internal storm brewing within her.

She stepped closer, her eyes searching theirs, a mix of vulnerability and lingering affection. Her lips parted, the script demanding words she could barely muster. "I... I never thought I'd see you again," Lucille said, her voice so convincingly filled with longing that it almost fooled her. She was impeccable as ever, her performance a flawless dance of emotions, but inside, her mind was practically mush.