Chapter 280 Chapter 280

Chapter 280 Chapter 280
She blew Wyatt a kiss, then turned back to the set. The makeup artist fixed the blood on her face, then she positioned herself for the next take. She caught sight of her reflection in a nearby monitor.
She looked stronger and more confident than before. She hated what had happened to her, but maybe she had been the only one who could have stopped that serial killer. Maybe the universe had put her in Liam’s path to stop him, or he would have gone on killing.
She was so different from the terrified woman who'd hidden in her apartment two years ago. Wyatt had still continued her training after Liam's death, to make sure she could take care of herself. It also helped with getting over killing someone.
She was still healing. Some days were harder than others. Some nights, the nightmares came back. Some moments, she'd catch a glimpse of someone who looked like Liam and her breath would catch.
But those moments were fewer now. Further between.
And she had Wyatt. Had James. Had friends who loved her and a career that fulfilled her and a life worth living.
Liam had tried to take everything from her. Had tried to make her another victim in his twisted collection.
Instead, she'd survived. Had fought back. Had built something beautiful, and in some ways, she had Liam to thank for her life now. Had he not become fixated on her, Wyatt would never have entered her life.
"Action!" Glen called.
Lauren threw herself into the scene, channeling every ounce of strength she'd earned. Every lesson Wyatt had taught her. Every reason she had to keep fighting. Pulling her hits but making them look very real.
When the director finally called cut, the entire crew erupted in applause.
"Brilliant!" Glen rushed over, practically vibrating with excitement. "Absolutely brilliant! That's the take. That's the one we're using."
Lauren grinned, slightly breathless. "Yeah?"
"Yeah. You're going to win awards for this performance, darling. I'm calling it now."
As the crew broke for lunch, Lauren made her way back to Wyatt and James. Her boys. Her world.
Wyatt stood, scooping up James with one arm while keeping his other free for Lauren. She stepped into his embrace, and he kissed her temple.
"You were amazing," he murmured. "Absolutely fucking amazing."
"It’s hard to pull the punch or kick to make sure I don’t hurt anyone but still make it believable. Are you sure all this isn’t too boring for you?”
"Are you kidding? I love just being with you and being here for James. Plus, I get to see my badass wife in some very sexy outfits.”
James squirmed between them, making grabby hands at Lauren. "Mama! Mama!"
"Hi, baby." Lauren took him from Wyatt, pressing kisses all over his face until he giggled. "Were you good for Daddy?"
"He threw a truck at a lady from wardrobe," Wyatt said conversationally. "I apologized on his behalf. Blamed it on teething."
"Oh my God."
"It's fine.” Wyatt wrapped his arms around both of them. "Come on. Let's get some lunch. I'm starving, and I know you didn't eat breakfast."
"I had coffee—"
"Coffee isn't food. We've discussed this." He steered her toward the catering tent. "You need actual nutrition. Especially when you're doing your own stunts and making me have heart attacks every time you jump off something."
"I have a stunt double—" But she was fit and trained by Wyatt. She could do the stunts herself, so why not?
"Who you refuse to use because you're stubborn." But his voice was warm, affectionate. "My stubborn, brilliant, beautiful wife who gives me gray hairs but makes every day worth it."
"You don't have gray hairs."
"Give it time. Between you and James, I'll be completely gray by forty."
They settled at a quiet table in the corner of the catering tent, away from the main bustle. Wyatt had Lauren's plate loaded before she could protest. Protein, vegetables, carbs, everything she needed to maintain the energy for fourteen-hour shooting days.
James sat in a high chair between them, making a mess of his mac and cheese while Wyatt and Lauren ate.
"Honey called this morning," Lauren said between bites. "She and Grayson want to have us over for dinner next week if we wrap up on time.” The movie was scheduled to wrap up in three days if everything went to plan. “Said it's been too long. It would be good for James to be around other kids. If we can make it, she is going to invite the others.” James was the only child on set.
"Sounds good." Wyatt wiped mac and cheese off James's face, though more immediately appeared. "But are you still doing the thing next week as well?"
The thing. Lauren's stomach clenched slightly, but not with fear. With something else. It was hard to talk about it to the public. She had refused every interview after shooting Liam. Not wanting to glorify what had happened. There had been talk about a movie, but Lauren had refused to have anything to do with it.
"Yeah. I'm speaking at the survivors' conference. Two PM on Saturday." She'd been invited to keynote a conference for victims of stalking and violence. To share her story. To offer hope to people still struggling.
Wyatt's hand covered hers on the table. "I think it’s a good thing, Lauren. You are helping others. It also helps you in the process.”
"I just... I don't want to be defined by what happened. Don't want to be 'the actress who killed her stalker' forever."
"You're not." His voice was firm. "You're Lauren Heywood. You're a talented actress, a loving mother, an amazing wife, and yes, a survivor. But that's just one part of who you are. Not the whole story."
"When did you get so wise?"
"I've always been wise. You just didn't notice because you were too busy staring at my ass." He grinned and waggled his eyebrows.
"I was not—" She stopped. "Okay, maybe sometimes. Maybe a lot actually. I'm not blind."
"Neither am I." His eyes heated. "And that outfit you're wearing is going to feature prominently in my fantasies later. Just so you know. Do you get to keep that outfit?”
"Wyatt, we're in public. With our son."
"Who's too young to understand. And I'm just expressing my appreciation for my wife. Nothing wrong with that." But he shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable. "Though we should probably change the subject before I embarrass myself because there is no way I can stand up right now.”
Lauren laughed, the sound free and genuine. How did she get so lucky?
A PA approached their table. "Ms. Heywood? They're ready for you in wardrobe. They want to try the alternate costume for the next scene."
"I'll be right there." Lauren stood, leaning down to kiss James's head, then Wyatt's mouth. "Behave while I'm gone."
"No promises." But Wyatt's eyes were soft. "Go. Do your thing. We'll be here."
As Lauren walked away, she heard James babble something that sounded suspiciously like "Mama pretty."
And Wyatt's response: "That's right, buddy. Mama's pretty and badass and the best thing that ever happened to us. Don't you ever forget it."
Lauren's heart swelled. She was a survivor, but she was one of the lucky ones.