Critical point

In the narrow kitchen, the sizzling sounds of the frying pan echoed, a sound that should have brought warmth to the home. However, Anna's eyes carried an enduring weariness. Even the taut lines of her shoulders drooped, as she absentmindedly stared at the zucchini in front of her. She should have continued chopping vegetables, but she was frozen in place, motionless.

Jacob returned from the bathroom. Hearing the noise, Anna turned her head, glancing at Jacob, but his gaze didn't meet hers. He walked straight past her without a glance, back-to-back.

Jacob reached the small dining table, picked up his phone, and read a text from Sam—Jacob's studio assistant. When Jacob was in London, Sam temporarily managed all the studio work.

After confirming the text, Jacob put his phone back down. Anna's voice came from behind him, "So you're very close to your work colleagues."

Jacob turned around, confusion evident in his eyes. "Well... what does that mean?" His voice was weary, showing no intention of arguing with Anna. He sat down against the wall, as if every muscle in his body was groaning. Weariness marred his brow, diffusing under the light's pale hue.

"Why didn't you tell me that there was still something between you and her?" Anna turned around, her back to Jacob, and picked up the knife again, starting to chop the zucchini.

Jacob took his wine glass, his movement slightly halted upon hearing her words. He raised his right hand, holding the wine glass, and lightly massaged his temples with his thumb, his impatience and exhaustion spreading through his every gesture. He even couldn't be bothered to perform the same motion with his left hand. He exhaled lightly, "Why are you reading my phone?"

"I didn't go through your phone." Anna's voice rose unnaturally, as she turned to face Jacob, still holding the knife. "I walked over there and your messages are out." She forced an awkward smile, masking her embarrassment and unease. "It's not that hard to..."

"My messages were out?" Jacob interrupted Anna, his voice involuntarily rising. Incredulity and suppressed sarcasm lingered in his words, growing even more distinct.

"Yeah. I could see them." Anna turned around again, awkwardly picking up the zucchini in her hand. She seemed to be checking if she had cut it properly, but it was a ruse to conceal her unease. "It's not... you don't have to be Einstein. Just tell me what's happening with you and her."

"My messages were out just like that?" Jacob retorted, his voice incredulous. He leaned against the wall, looking at Anna's back with a helpless expression. Weariness filled his brow; he had no desire to continue arguing. He softened his tone, speaking slowly, as if trying to calm himself. "There's nothing happening."

However, the deliberate slowing of his speech revealed his impatience and weariness. Anna put down the knife, turning around to face Jacob again. "Why didn't you just tell me, Jacob?"

"I told you, there's nothing happening." Jacob picked up his wine glass with both hands. He closed his eyes, his head against the wall, attempting to make his tone sound calm, but the effect was far from satisfactory.

"You're obviously involved in something with this person." Anna persisted, her hands crossed over her chest as she leaned against the counter firmly.

"I..." Jacob's anger surged suddenly. After saying one word, he clenched his teeth, attempting to cool down, but he failed. He placed the wine glass heavily on the table, as if his fingers were disobeying him. He picked up the glass again, frustration evident. "I am not involved in anything."

He rested his hands on his knees, speaking with conviction. However, Anna simply didn't believe him.

"You're not involved in anything with this person?"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!"

"There's nothing between you whatsoever?"

"Absolutely not."

"That's a lie."

Their fragmented words clashed, interruptions overlapping, until Anna's disdainful judgment finally emerged. It tightened Jacob's chest. He stood up, picked up his phone, wanting to say something, but he realized that whatever he said would be wrong.

His shoulders slumped, palms spread open, he stood facing Anna, "Please don't go through my phone…" He stared into Anna's eyes, unable to hold her gaze, and lowered his eyelids. He sighed heavily, then sat back down in the chair across from Anna, as if his fatigue throughout his body could no longer support even a single second. "It's just… I mean…" Every time he tried to speak, he hesitated, fearing he might say something inappropriate. Ultimately, he gave up, his hands falling to his sides. "It's just going to make you paranoid."

"Why didn't you tell me that it was still..." Anna wasn't willing to give up easily. She continued resolutely, "There was still, like, a thing between you and her?"

"There is no thing between me and her!" Jacob finally grew tired of explaining. His anger broke through his throat, his voice raised in exasperation.

"There obviously is a thing between you and her. There is!" Anna's voice also rose, unyielding as she held her ground.

"No, there is no thing!" Jacob gritted his teeth, his voice punctuated.

"There is!" Anna retorted, pressing on without letting up, even disregarding Jacob's defense. She accused directly, "I just read your text message!"

"She works with me!" Jacob's words got caught in his throat. He ground his teeth fiercely, then shouted in anger, "You shouldn't read my messages!"

"Don't shout! Don't shout!" Anna lowered her left hand, gesturing for Jacob to quiet down.

Jacob raised his right hand, covering his entire forehead. He rubbed his temples with his thumb and index finger, his voice returned to calmness as he spoke softly, "You shouldn't read my text messages."

But Anna shifted the topic, "Why did you just shout at me?"

"I'm sorry that I shouted." Jacob closed his eyes, expressing an apology.

"Don't raise your voice at me." Anna continued, "People are gonna come around if you keep shouting."

Watching Anna before him, Jacob found it utterly perplexing, truly unfathomable. He shook his head helplessly, promptly placing the wine glass on the table and declining to continue this conversation.

But Jacob's seemingly indifferent attitude infuriated Anna, "Oh, my God. It's really important if people come around." After saying that, Anna turned around, her disappointment evident as she faced away from Jacob.

This time, Jacob was the one who grew angry. His eyes widened, fixed on Anna's retreating back. "Who's gonna come around? Simon?" His voice involuntarily rose once again, but this time, silence greeted him—a heavy, empty silence.

"Cut!"

Drake's voice cut through the tense air. Renly and Felicity didn't move. The scene hadn't concluded yet, but Drake had called for a pause, signifying that their performance had encountered issues.

Sure enough, Drake approached, composed his thoughts, and began, "Jacob, your anger isn't enough." His voice carried a strong nasal tone, even a touch of tongue roll. Everyone had grown accustomed to it. "That sudden burst of anger lacks intensity. I don't think you were invested enough today. I need more, a lot more!"

"Anna, your emotional contrast isn't clear enough." As filming progressed during this period, Drake had gradually gotten into the groove, addressing the actors by their characters' names. "Your state wasn't right today. You're questioning Jacob, not only because there's something to suspect but also because you're getting agitated yourself. You're feeling fatigued too. Compared to Jacob, your emotions are too weak, so weak that I can hardly feel them. Jacob has completely stolen the balance of this scene. I need you to wake up!"

Drake glanced at Felicity, then at Renly. His voice was extremely hoarse. "I know this scene's shooting is extremely challenging. Do you both need a break to adjust?"

Renly shrugged, saying nothing. His exhaustion and irritability had reached their zenith, extending from the movie to his life. Felicity lowered her head, not saying a word, refusing any communication. Drake stood by, looking helpless, then took a deep breath. "Alright, one minute. We'll reshoot after that!"

Indeed, this scene today was crucial—a turning point. A critical juncture in Anna and Jacob's love relationship.

Anna and Jacob had married. Then, Jacob had been shuttling back and forth between London and Los Angeles, constantly communicating with the U.S. Embassy in London, appealing, hoping to secure a visa for Anna, hoping they could freely travel between the two countries. As for where they should settle in the future, that could be discussed after the visa was obtained.

But things weren't going smoothly. They had circled around for two years, yet the problem remained unresolved.

This time, they were rejected by the embassy once again. Their prolonged efforts yielded no glimmer of hope, leaving them both mentally and physically drained. Sitting in Anna's apartment, they fell into an argument.

Sam had sent Jacob a message earlier, mentioning work and asking, "I miss you. When can you return to Los Angeles?" Jacob hadn't responded to Sam, merely discussing work matters. But Jacob's absent-minded demeanor sparked Anna's suspicions, leading her to peek at Jacob's messages, giving rise to the aforementioned argument.

However, the fact was that Anna was also full of holes. When Jacob questioned the nature of Anna's relationship with Simon, whether they had slept together, Anna couldn't provide an answer. This spiraled them into a cycle:

Did their efforts still hold meaning? They already had their own lives. Their persistent endeavors were consistently rebuffed. Was it worth this ongoing back-and-forth turmoil? How much of their love remained between them? Or, to be more accurate, what were they entwined for? Between Anna and Simon, between Jacob and Sam, what was that? Was it love? Or companionship?

This was a critical juncture, both of them barely sustaining their relationship while it teetered on the edge.