Page 86 of Love Unscripted
The line went dead shortly after.
Camille lowered the phone slowly. This would free her. Free her and Aaron from Simon’s threats. It was just a two-hour season finale. It couldn’t be that bad. And Aaron didn’t have to know—not yet. Afterwards, she would explain. She would tell him it had been necessary.
For the film.
For him.
For them.
Chapter 15
The next week, Camille and Aaron shot the final scenes of Esther where they appeared together on screen.
Camille arrived on set already in costume, Esther’s authority fully formed.
Aaron was waiting when she stepped onto the soundstage. He didn’t say her name. He didn’t need to. His hand found the small of her back instinctively, thumb pressing lightly as she leaned into him, her fingers catching in the fabric of his sleeve as if letting go required effort.
They separated only because they had to.
“Morning,” he said, brushing his knuckles against her wrist as he stepped back.
She smiled at him. “Morning.”
They moved through the blocking together, close enough that their arms brushed, their bodies angled toward each other even when the scene didn’t demand it. Whenever Aaron spoke to her as director, his voice was calm, precise—but his eyes never stopped searching her face.
Between setups, Camille reached for him without thinking—fingers slipping into his palm, a brief squeeze, reassurance and hunger all at once.
On camera, Esther’s final request unfolded with breathtaking calm. She stood beside the king, her presence assured, her voice steady. There was no urgency left—only peace.
The silence after her final line stretched longer than scripted.
No one rushed to break it.
“Cut,” Aaron said at last, his voice thick with emotion he didn’t try to hide.
The crew applauded softly.
Someone murmured, “That was beautiful.”
Another added, less quietly than intended, “They’re incredible together.”
Camille felt warmth rise to her cheeks. Aaron cleared his throat and turned away.
As the set broke down, Camille removed Esther’s crown slowly, reverently. Aaron came to her, hands warm on her arms.
“That was amazing,” he said.
She leaned into him, forehead against his chest. “We gave it everything.”
“Yes,” he said, holding her close. “And it shows.”
They stayed that way longer than professionalism allowed, neither willing to be the first to step away.
“Tomorrow is Mordecai,” she said eventually, her voice muffled against him.
Aaron exhaled. “And Esther rests.”
She looked up at him, love bright and undeniable in her eyes. “Thank you for your incredible direction, director.”
