Yes, acting had been her life.
Her refuge from everything.
Years of hard work and dedication had brought Alicia to this point, but now doubt crept in. She had worked years to climb the ladder of success, to have her name mentioned first before the names of any other actors and actresses.
But it was all for what?
Mabel watched Alicia closely, her heart full of concern. She could feel the weight of her sadness even without a word from her.
"I had... thought acting would bring me happiness." Alicia's voice trembled as she spoke, her vulnerability on full display. "I believed that stepping into different characters' lives would help me escape my own struggles."
She remembered how she had worked so hard under the sun, under the rain and even had to put up with so many nasty attitudes and also suffered some very humbling moments.