CHAPTER 5
~Xena's POV~
That evening, I stood outside my father's mansion, the one I'd once called home. The iron gates loomed tall and dark, too polished and expensive.
I gripped the handle of my bag tighter, forcing down the nerves clawing their way up my throat.
It had been four years since I last set foot here. The last time, I was sobbing on those same marble steps, begging him to believe I hadn't done it, that I hadn't leaked that damn video or ever planned on being in it.
Nor did I do what I was being accused of, but my father never believed me.
Now, I wasn't here to beg.
I was here to collect.
The guard eyed me suspiciously when I gave my name and showed him a photo of my dad and me, but after a brief hesitation, he let me in.
The moment I stepped into the foyer, the same cedar-polish blend I grew up with assaulted my nostrils. For a second, unwanted and painful memories tugged at me.
Immediately, laughter echoed from the living room, pulling me out of my train of thought. I followed it and stopped at the doorway to see them in the living room.
Standing tall and proud in a navy tuxedo was my father, and beside him, my cousin Joan, dressed in a white silk gown with a champagne flute in hand. They were toasting.
"To new beginnings," Joan said, grinning widely, her voice sugar-sweet as she clung wet flutes.
"To success," my father replied. "Deluxe Angels made the right choice choosing you as their new face and rising A-list actress. You'll do great things, Joan."
Of course. A toast for her. A celebration of her becoming a rising A-list star.
My fingers clenched at my sides.
Joan turned slightly and saw me. Her smile froze, then curled into something sharper. "Well, look who the ocean washed in."
My father looked up at the sound of her voice. His laughter faded, and his eyes locked on me. For a brief second, shock flickered in them, followed quickly by irritation.
"Xena?" he said, like he couldn't believe I'd dare show up.
"Father." My voice was calm.
He set down his glass. "What are you doing here?"
I took a step forward. "Worry not. I'm not here for a reunion. I'm just here to collect what I'm owed."
Joan's smirk deepened as she folded her arms, tilting her head. "And what's that supposed to be?"
"I wasn't talking to you, Joan," I said evenly. "But since you insist on inserting your miserable self into everything, how about we start with what you stole from me after hacking my accounts?"
Her eyes widened for half a beat before she laughed, a fake, brittle sound. "You're insane."
"Am I?" I tilted my head. "Funny how my account was emptied the same night you posted my video. Maybe it's a coincidence. Maybe you just suddenly got rich off 'luck.'"
She rolled her eyes and sipped her drink. "Delusions must be comforting."
I turned to my father. "And you," I said firmly. "I want my final pay from Love Across Two Lives. It was five hundred thousand dollars, excluding the seventy-thousand-dollar completion bonus. Give me that, and I'll walk out of your life forever."
Silence stretched. My father blinked once, twice, and then looked at Joan. She snorted, then covered her mouth. And just like that, both of them started laughing.
The sound was both cruel and real. My chest tightened. "What's funny?"
My father slowly shook his head, stepping closer. "You. You're funny."
I forced a smile. "I hope you still find it funny when I sue you for theft."
His smirk didn't fade. It only sharpened. "You ungrateful bitch," he spat. "You think you can threaten me? Sue me?" He took another step closer, close enough that I could smell his cologne. "Who's going to believe you when I deny you're even my daughter? You're a disgrace, Xena. A scandal in heels."
I met his gaze squarely. "You think denying me changes the truth?"
"It changes perception," he said flatly. "And perception is all that matters in this industry. You're finished, girl. I made you, and I destroyed what was left of you."
Joan chuckled behind him. "Honestly, Uncle, she's persistent. It's kind of cute. Maybe she should audition for one of those redemption reality shows."
I turned toward her. "Keep talking, Joan. You might just find yourself starring in another leaked video."
Her smile vanished, replaced by a flash of panic she quickly masked. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me."
That did it. My father's hand came down hard on the table, the sharp crack echoing. "Enough!"
His voice boomed through the hall. "I have tolerated enough of your disrespect."
"Disrespect, when you do not honour my mother's memory, nor do you have the decency to treat your daughter well."
"What daughter? Xena Winters or Rhia Rael?"
At the mention of my alias—my star name—I froze in panic.
"Don't take me for a fool, girl. You dug your doom yourself when you chose not to use your real name in the Entertainment Industry and used your middle name and your mother's surname instead."
My mind flashed back to the memory of that day. The day I went down a path I'd come to regret because of my cousin, Joan.
She had claimed that to keep my life private, I should use an alias. Little did I know I was slowly digging up my grave.
"Guards!" My dad's deep voice brought my attention back to the matter at hand.
"Dad…"
"I do not have a shameful daughter like you, remember?"
I bit back the anger coursing through me. "I will not hesitate to sue you."
"Yes, so long as you exist. I can make Rhia Rael disappear."
Just then, two bodyguards appeared almost instantly from the hallway.
"Throw her outside," my father ordered coldly. "And make sure she never steps foot on my property again."
"Dad—"
"Don't 'Dad' me!" he roared. "You come here after all the shame you brought this family, and you demand money? You're lucky I don't have you arrested. Who managed to end your shenanigans on the internet? Me? Who raised you? Me. Yet your ingrate self came requesting money from me."
I straightened, swallowing the fury that threatened to choke me. "You already killed what was left of me once," I said quietly. "What more can you take?"
He didn't answer. He just turned his back.
I wanted to say more when Nanny Nancy's face crossed my mind and I realised just who I was doing it for.
"Dad, please. I need the money to save Nancy. At least if you can't do it for me, do it for Nancy."
My father had turned, but he still did not look at me again.
I took hold of the opportunity and tried to appeal to his conscience. "She needs surgery, and it's due tomorrow. I need fifty thousand dollars to pay her bills."
"Nanny Nancy? As in the lady who took you in four years ago?"
"Yes. The lady who raised me after Mum died. That Nancy," I explained quickly, almost forgetting that I hated this man.
"Okay," my heart leapt for joy, but my father's next words changed everything, "why should I care?"
"What?"
He finally turned to face me, with a smug look on his face. But as quickly as it came, he schooled his expression.
"Why should I spend any dime from my wealth on a Nanny? You're delusional."
I shook my head, my hands stretched out, attempting to stop him. "Dad, please."
"I'll make it easy for you, Xena. Uncle favours me. Unlike you, I bring him honour. So do us all a favour and disappear for good. Guards, what are you waiting for? A cut from your salaries?"
The guards straightened and then stepped forward, grabbing my arms. I didn't fight them. I let them drag me through the marble hall.
At the door, I stopped and looked back once. Joan was smirking again, leaning on the couch, her glass raised in mock salute.
"Bye, cousin," she called. "Don't forget to catch my next premiere."
I smiled faintly, though my hands shook. "Don't worry," I said. "I'll see you again soon."
The guards pushed me out at the main gate and slammed it shut behind me.
Outside, I stood on the gravel path, breathing hard. The tears that stung my eyes finally rolled down my cheeks in torrents.
I knew I might have had to beg just to get the money, but I never wanted to.
Taking out my phone, I scrolled through my contact list to find my close friend's name—Skye Ian.
On the third ring, the call connected, and the next person's voice I heard was Skye.
"Hey, girl, it's been what? Ages?"
"Skye. Thank Goodness. Babe. I need your help."
"Wait, you don't call me for about a year, and the first time we talk, you are in trouble? What can you do without me, Xee?"
I lowered my head as if she could see me. "I'm sorry. Life's just been..."
"Don't worry. I understand. For my goddaughter, I forgive you. So, what do you need my expertise on?"
"Your brother."
"Huh, Slade?"
"Yeah. I need to get the best lawyer in town. I need your twin brother."
"What happened?"
"I need to sue my dad and his company for stealing from me."
"Fine. I'll arrange it. You can see him soon."
"Thanks, bae, you are a lifesaver."
"For you, anytime."
I ended the call, my gaze drifting to my dad's mansion. "You both will pay for every damn thing you stole from me."