Too Late to Ask Too Late to Love (Julian and Eleanor) novel Chapter 4

At the triennial Best Actress awards ceremony, Eleanor found herself face to face with Julian and Sophia once again.

Her agent, Sarah, wore a troubled expression as she pulled Eleanor aside. “This award was practically in the bag for you,” she whispered, frustration thick in her voice. “But Julian had to get involved, all for Sophia’s sake.”

Eleanor’s heart sank. She had signed a strict contract with her company, one that hinged on her winning this award. Failure meant breaking her five-year personal rule—one that forbade her from accepting any scenes requiring intimacy. The thought of crossing that line made her uneasy.

The host’s voice cut through the tension. “Congratulations to the winner of the Best Actress award—Sophia! And now, please welcome Mr. Blackwood to the stage to present the award!”

Eleanor felt a strange numbness wash over her. She knew better than anyone how far Julian would go when he cared about someone—how his grand gestures could sweep away everything in their path.

Sophia’s tears of joy glistened under the stage lights. Linking her arm through Julian’s, she accepted the award and thanked a long list of people, basking in the envious gazes from the audience. Then, her eyes found Eleanor’s.

“Actually,” Sophia said, voice trembling with emotion, “the person I want to thank most today is Ms. Vance. Would you do me the honor of offering a word of congratulations?”

The spotlight shifted to Eleanor, and every eye in the room turned toward her.

For five years, Eleanor had openly declared her love for Julian. It was no secret—everyone knew how deeply she cared for him.

Now, standing there, publicly called out by Julian’s official girlfriend, Eleanor wondered if she could maintain her composure.

But she rose with quiet dignity. Meeting that unmistakable, intense gaze from the stage, she replied evenly, “Congratulations to you both.”

The room’s excitement slowly faded.

Word spread quickly online about Eleanor losing to a newcomer, and a wave of ridicule followed. Yet, infamy still brought attention. The company seized the moment, securing her a new role in a film titled *My Rainy Day*.

This movie featured multiple kissing scenes and even a blindfolded sex scene—far beyond anything Eleanor had ever done before. Until now, for Julian’s sake, she had refused intimate scenes, limiting herself to holding hands on screen.

But now, with her career winding down, she was ready to break her own rules.

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