Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Rosita's weak grasp of the script and her shallow understanding of tradition left

her performance hopelessly superficial.

After a week on set, progress had ground to a halt.

At last, Grover snapped.

"Cut! Cut! Cut!" His shout rang out across the studio for what felt like the hundredth time. "That's it! We're done for today!"

Bill rushed over, hands raised in a placating gesture. "Grover, take it easy. Getting worked up isn't good for you. Ms. Lockwood's just a little out of practice-it's been a while since her last film. She just needs some time to get back into the groove

"It's been a week!" Grover barked, arms akimbo. "We haven't gotten a single usable take! There's a whole crew here, wasting their time because of her. Didn't she even read the character notes I gave her?"

"She did, she did..." Bill said quickly, his smile stretched thin.

"Then why is her acting still such a mess?" Grover rubbed his neck, inhaling deeply, but the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. "I told you from the start, she wasn't right for this role! But you insisted..."

He let out a heavy sigh, then turned to Bill with finality. "Call the boss. Tell him to replace Ms. Lockwood. Get the girl from our company—what's her name, Mary? Yes, Mary! She's got real talent. She's perfect for this part! Let her do it."

Bill hesitated, looking genuinely troubled. "That's... not possible. Ms. Lockwood's the lead the boss personally chose. We really can't replace her."

"Then I can't direct this film anymore," Grover shot back. "Tell the boss to find someone else to run this circus!"

on the shoulder. "Don't be hasty.

Grover snorted in disgust.

his phone and stepped

sun umbrella, Rosita sat in her chair, watching Bill make the call across

Grover had said just

look down on her? Wanted to replace

cold, mocking smile

company's rising star-if anyone was getting replaced,

minutes, Bill

week of private coaching. A specialist in traditional arts will work with her. Grover, you can use this week

pressed his lips together and sighed. "Let's hope Ms. Lockwood shows

grinning. "She will! You know Ms. Lockwood-her dedication is

hard he nearly saw the

when she learned the boss wanted her off set for

no use fighting

would start tomorrow. For today,

decided to visit Lauren at the

arrived, a nurse informed her