The fragmented pieces of memory finally came together, forming a complete picture in Hugo's mind. The scattered images aligned, and the entire story from beginning to end was now clear.
The tangled relationship between Lancaster and Tracy… Hugo wasn't sure if the word love truly applied, but what was undeniable was the complexity of their entanglement. Thinking back on Lancaster's life in 1991 the drugs, the alcohol, the car accident Hugo couldn't help wondering: were these simply the result of career failure and Hollywood's intoxicating excess? Or was there also the silent weight of emotional collapse and heartbreak behind it all?
And as for Tracy's revenge was it limited only to Lancaster's failed audition for A River Runs Through It? Hardly. There were likely other opportunities quietly erased before Lancaster ever even heard of them. As for the drug and alcohol scandals that later ruined him, it was impossible to know whether Tracy had played a role in feeding those flames.
Watching Lancaster sink deeper into ruin, Tracy must have felt both the satisfaction of revenge and the agony of heartbreak a torment that explained everything that followed.
Hugo remembered the first time he saw Tracy and Brad together at the Four Seasons Hotel during his audition for A River Runs Through It. She hadn't greeted him, but her gaze had been full of conflicting emotions. Perhaps, in her mind, she wanted to see him beg or maybe flaunt Brad beside her as a warning — yet deep down, she still hoped he would return to her.
Unfortunately, the Lancaster she once knew no longer existed. The soul within him now was different. Hugo felt no emotional connection toward Tracy not even a trace of old memories. To him, she was just another stranger in the crowd. His indifference delivered a fatal blow.
Later, Joseph after overcoming countless obstacles to secure Hugo a public audition for Scent of a Woman. That alone showed how difficult things had become for him at the time. If Tracy had wanted to suppress his career then, it would have been all too easy. Yet by sheer chance, the opportunity that slipped through her fingers became Hugo's lifeline, and he seized it.
So when Hugo saw Tracy again at the Waldorf Astoria, she was cold and distant, pretending not to notice him. At that time, she was negotiating with Universal Pictures, already preparing for Schindler's List. Her hatred, fueled by Hugo's indifference, only grew stronger.
Although Hugo had attended the premiere of Final Analysis and later landed A Few Good Men, his situation remained bleak. He wasn't invited to talk shows or given new projects. Throughout 1992, Hugo was barely surviving at the lowest point of his career. There was no concrete proof, but it was hard not to suspect the quiet interference of Tracy and Ron behind the scenes.
After Scent of a Woman was released, Hugo ran into Tracy for the third time in the company hallway. They exchanged a few brief words — Tracy seemed to hint at Ron's scheming but looking back, it was clear that his rising visibility had once again stirred her conflicted emotions. Perhaps she was trying to test him, to see if any spark remained. But Hugo, still detached and distant, gave her nothing. After that short warning, she turned and walked away without even saying goodbye — disappointed once more.
Hugo's earlier suspicions had been right. Tracy was targeting him, step by step, growing more resolute with each move. And all of it had been triggered by his indifference — his coldness had extinguished her last flicker of hope and fanned the flames of vengeance.
Before this night, Hugo had wanted to uncover exactly what had happened between Lancaster and Tracy, believing that understanding the truth would help him take control. But now that he finally knew, instead of feeling relief, he only felt heavier.
Love has no absolute right or wrong that much is true. In a relationship, each person has their own perspective, thoughts, and emotions. Misunderstanding, hesitation, regret, and passion make love unpredictable and often destructive.
From Lancaster's perspective, Tracy betrayed him first — she was unfaithful, and that betrayal filled him with rage. When she later acted irrationally and refused to let go, he chose to cut ties completely, starting a new relationship out of both self-preservation and revenge.
From Tracy's perspective, her mistake had never been emotional — only physical. She still loved Lancaster deeply, but fear and insecurity drove her actions. What she couldn't forgive was his emotional betrayal the way he flirted with another woman, even fell for her, before officially ending their relationship. Her love had been dismissed, her devotion made worthless, and that humiliation transformed her into a vengeful goddess.
So who was wrong Lancaster or Tracy? Perhaps both. But none of it had anything to do with Hugo. He was never part of their doomed affair and yet, he was inextricably bound to it. Because now, Hugo was Lancaster.
From Hugo's point of view, it was impossible to respond to Tracy's feelings. Not only because he was now with Uma, but because he had never been part of that past love. He had no right, and no reason, to answer her emotions.
Thus, the hatred between Hugo and Tracy could never be resolved. Even though he pitied her a woman driven to madness by love. Hugo knew there was nothing he could do. And there never would be.
Now, Tracy had completely positioned herself against Hugo. What would happen with Schindler's List was still uncertain, but one thing was clear — Tracy's presence at Sydney's party tonight was no coincidence. She wasn't here as an ordinary guest. And judging from the gleam in her eyes as she looked at him — filled with vengeful pleasure and haughty pride, the smugness of a victor laced with sharp provocation — she was openly declaring war.
Hugo knew that if she had the chance, Tracy would sabotage Sleepless in Seattle as well, doing everything possible to shut him out of any future film projects. Though her connections in the industry were far from top-tier, Hugo understood that an enraged woman could be terrifyingly determined. She would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.
Facing such a formidable enemy was enough to make anyone's blood run cold. But Hugo had no room to retreat, no ground to compromise. This was a battle to the death. He could only stand tall and face it head-on otherwise, he'd be crushed and fade away in disgrace. There was no other choice.
So Hugo straightened his back slightly, calm and composed, meeting Tracy's dagger-like stare head-on. The collision of their gazes under the shimmering lights of the crystal snow globe sent invisible sparks crackling in the air.
Tracy was momentarily surprised by Hugo's reaction. Over the past year, during the few times they had crossed paths, he had always been passive — whether she ignored him, hoped for him, or offered friendliness, Hugo had remained distant, detached, and unresponsive. That cold indifference had humiliated her deeply. But tonight, Hugo looked straight into her eyes, unflinching. For the first time in a year, Tracy revealed her rage and hatred without disguise and Hugo met it directly.
In a year, Hugo had changed a great deal. He was brighter now warmer, more radiant, more refined, more gracious. Through mutual acquaintances, Tracy had heard scattered bits about him: that he had overcome his drug addiction, that he now drank only in moderation, that his relationship with Uma was steady, and that his career was on the rise again. Each piece of good news only fueled her fury and, buried beneath it, her sorrow.
When she looked into Hugo's amber eyes, framed by those long, almond-shaped lids, a faint mist seemed to cloud them — like an endless abyss, pulling her in with no escape. Tracy bit the tip of her tongue hard, forcing herself awake; the faint taste of blood brought her clarity.
Her eyes locked on Hugo's like a cobra ready to strike, her pupils glinting with venom. Narrowing her gaze, she studied the confident man before her and the more she saw, the stronger her urge to destroy him grew. It was like shattering a beautiful piece of art — painful and regretful, yet perversely satisfying.
Then Tracy parted her lips slightly and mouthed the words: "I see you."
Afterward, she lifted her chin, a mocking smirk curling at the corner of her mouth, then turned away as if Hugo were nothing more than dust in her path, leaning toward her companion to whisper casually.
Hugo remained where he stood, his eardrums vibrating under the pounding disco music. The flickering lights made it impossible to catch the fine details of Tracy's expression — only that piercing look, stabbing at his nerves. He saw her lips move from across the crowded hall, trying to make out the words, though he couldn't read lips. He could only faintly discern what seemed like three words, but couldn't be sure what they were.
And yet, inexplicably, a scene flashed through his mind — the all-seeing Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings, whispering ominously to the Ring-bearer: "I see you." That same chilling sense of dread crept over him. A sudden, cold breeze swept past, making Hugo shiver and bringing him sharply back to reality.
He understood now that the war had just begun.
Former lovers in another life, mortal enemies in this one — a battle neither could retreat from. Even a single step back would mean total annihilation.
....
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