Chapter 11 The Actress Never Forgot Her Lines
The atmosphere at the dining table shifted the moment Serena Rose set her glass down.
It was subtle. Too subtle for someone inexperienced.
But Arielle noticed.
Oh no. That look.
That tone. I’ve read this chapter before.
Serena crossed her legs elegantly, fingers resting lightly on the table.
“Mrs. Cross,” she said with a gentle smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “you seem… different from how I imagined.”
The table went quiet.
Darian’s hand paused mid-motion. Rhett’s jaw tightened.
Zayden’s eyes sharpened. Emrys looked up slowly.
Arielle blinked.
Ah. So this is the provocation scene.
Classic CEO drama move. Subtle insult disguised as curiosity.
Serena continued, voice sweet. “You’re much calmer than the rumors suggest. I heard you used to be…
emotional.”
There it was.
The bait.
For a split second, Arielle’s heart thudded.
Oh no. Panic. I don’t know the original script.
I don’t know how the ‘old Arielle’ would respond—
And then—
Something shifted.
Her spine straightened. Her breathing evened out.
A strange familiarity washed over her body, like muscle memory waking up after a long sleep.
…Wait. Oh. I almost forgot.
Arielle smiled.
Not forced. Not stiff.
Perfect.
Elegant.
Measured. Award-winning.
“I suppose rumors tend to exaggerate,” she replied softly.
“Emotions are part of being human. But controlling them is part of being professional.”
Serena’s smile froze.
Arielle tilted her head slightly, eyes warm, voice gentle.
“I’ve learned that reacting loudly only embarrasses everyone involved.
”
Silence.
Oh my God. Did I just do that?
Her heart raced.
I really was the best award-winning actress in this world.
These instincts… they’re not mine. They belong to her.
The original Arielle.
The woman whose body she now inhabited.
Rhett let out a low chuckle. “Mom’s always been classy.
”
Darian nodded calmly. “She doesn’t waste words.
”
Zayden added smoothly, “That’s why people misunderstand her.
”
Serena’s fingers curled slightly.
Checkmate.
To avoid further embarrassment, the fiancées excused themselves one by one.
Polite smiles. Tight goodbyes.
The dining room finally exhaled.
The door opened.
Lucian Cross walked in.
His suit jacket was loosened, tie undone slightly.
He looked tired—but still devastatingly handsome in that infuriating CEO way.
Arielle felt it immediately.
Oh wow.
Is this… the first time I’m really looking at my husband?
Her eyes flicked over him—broad shoulders, long legs, that quiet authority that clung to him like a second skin.
Those abs are definitely still there.
Impossible to hide. Wow. Focus, Arielle.
Focus.
Lucian stopped when he saw the table.
Empty.
Only his sons and his wife remained.
Something in his chest tugged uncomfortably.
She was standing apart from them. Calm.
Distant.
Different.
She didn’t look at him immediately.
When she finally did, her gaze was polite.
Detached.
Professional.
Not the woman who used to smile at him unconsciously.
Lucian felt a sharp pang.
When did I become…
outside this circle?
The sons exchanged looks.
Rhett spoke first. “Dinner’s over.”
Lucian nodded stiffly.
“I see.”
Arielle turned away first.
And that hurt more than he expected.
Arielle’s phone rang.
“Mrs. Cross!” her manager’s excited voice rang out.
“You’re resuming work. Script reading at ten.
Filming starts immediately.”
Arielle stared at the ceiling.
“…Work?”
Her soul sighed.
In my past life, I worked like a dog.
In this life… I still have to work?
She dragged herself out of bed.
The sons were already preparing to leave.
Darian for meetings. Rhett for training.
Zayden for schedules. Emrys for auditions.
She watched them go, oddly proud.
The moment Arielle stepped onto set, everything clicked.
The lights. The camera. The marks on the floor.
Her body moved before her mind caught up.
Lines flowed naturally. Expressions shifted flawlessly.
Emotions hit perfectly.
“CUT!”
The director stared.
“…She’s improved.”
“Way more natural.”
“Did she take acting classes recently?”
Arielle blinked.
Oh. Maybe transmigrating has benefits.
By the time filming wrapped, she was exhausted—but satisfied.
That evening, Emrys appeared.
“Mother,” he said casually.
“Dinner?”
She smiled. “Just the two of us?”
He nodded.
Halfway through the meal—
Darian stormed in.
“So you’re favoring him now?”
Rhett followed.
“Unbelievable.”
Zayden crossed his arms. “Bias detected.”
Arielle stared.
…Are they acting?
They absolutely were.
And badly.
She burst out laughing.
“Oh no,” she said, shaking her head.
“It seems my sons inherited my acting talent.”
She leaned back, amused.
“With performances like that, I’m surprised you’re not actors instead of me.
”
They froze.
Then laughed.
The atmosphere softened.
Until—
A woman stepped forward.
Elegant.
Familiar. Dangerous.
The classic archetype.
White Moonlight.
First love.
Arielle blinked.
…Of course. In every CEO drama, if there’s no White Moonlight, is it even complete?
She sipped her drink calmly.
But inside—
Premium chaos… just upgraded.