CHAPTER 7
~Xena's POV~
I had just gotten home when I felt the weight of everything on me again.
In my anger and rush to meet a lawyer to sue my father and cousin, I'd forgotten one essential thing. I didn't ask Skye to lend me money for the hospital deposit.
The moment I walked into my room, the sight of Nancy sleeping in my bed made my chest tighten.
She was hugging her favourite teddy bear again, the one missing an eye. Her small face was so peaceful that it almost broke my heart.
I sat on the edge of the bed and brushed her hair from her forehead. Immediately I did that, I heard her murmur in her sleep. "Auntie Nancy."
My heart skipped a beat as I froze briefly before caressing her cheek.
"I'm sorry, baby," I whispered softly. "Mommy's trying."
Sighing, I dialled Skye's number. It rang, and rang… then went to voicemail.
I tried again. And again. By the fifth attempt, I gave up and dropped the phone beside me.
My thoughts ran wild with everything: Liam Louis, the missing drugs, and whether or not the police was still on the case, before finally resting on the unpaid hospital bills.
It was all tangled in my mind until I could barely breathe. I couldn't go out there and sell those drugs myself. That would make me no different from them.
Still, I needed a solution… fast.
Maybe I should beg Agent Marcus? No, he was useless, always pretending to care until real help was needed.
Three thousand dollars; that's what I needed for the deposit, but it was sounding more like a mountain right now.
"Urgh!" I groaned in frustration, ruffling my hair. My fingers flew across the screen as I typed a desperate message to Skye, asking to borrow the money for Nancy's surgery.
After sending it, I forced myself up. A bath would help clear my head. I'd cook something small, leave Skai with the neighbour, and go back to the hospital to talk to the doctor again.
But before I could even move away from the bed, my phone rang. I snatched it up quickly when I saw the hospital's number.
"Hello?" I answered, sounding breathless.
"Hello, Xena," came the Doctor's familiar voice. "Good news."
My heart stopped. "Good news?" I asked, wary.
"Yes. Someone just paid for five major surgeries, and Nancy's was one of them."
I blinked, frozen. "What?"
"Yes," I could practically hear the smile through the phone. "She's scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning, 8 a.m. Please come in tomorrow by 7:30 a.m. to sign the forms."
My throat went dry. "Definitely, Director. Thank you… thank you so much."
The moment the call ended, I pressed a hand over my mouth to keep myself from screaming out loud. Tears of relief rolled down my cheeks. I wanted to dance, to cry, and laugh all at once.
Then my gaze fell on Skai. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up. I smiled through the tears. "Everything's going to be okay, baby," I whispered. "Mommy promised."
Just as I wiped my eyes, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was an unknown number. I hesitated, then answered softly, "Hello?"
A familiar male voice spoke politely. "Hello, this is Dominic Grey, Director Xade's personal assistant."
I blinked, startled. "Oh… Mr. Dominic. To what do I owe this call?"
"Sorry for the late call," he said. "Director Xade requested your presence at the industry tomorrow to sign your contract."
For a second, I couldn't speak. My lips parted, but no sound came out. "Oh… um, really?" My voice trembled slightly.
"Yes," Dominic replied with a hint of amusement. "Tomorrow at noon."
I pressed my hand to my chest, trying not to squeal. "Thank you! Thank you so much. I'll be there."
"Good," he said. "See you tomorrow then."
When the call ended, I sank onto the bed, half laughing and half crying. My nanny's surgery was paid for, and I had a contract waiting for me.
Maybe… just maybe… things were finally changing.
***************
~Xade's POV~
I had just stepped out of my closet, dressed in a simple nightshirt and dark lounge pants, when my phone vibrated on the dresser. One missed call. Agent A.
I frowned slightly and opened my email app. There it was, an encrypted message marked Report: Xena Winter.
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I tapped it open. Lines of information filled the screen: address, employment history, background, and financials. I skimmed until one particular line caught my attention.
"Single mother. Daughter, Skai Winter. Other close family, Nancy Simon. Critical health condition. Pending surgery."
My brows furrowed. I scrolled further, reading the details of her financial struggles, the debts, and the unpaid hospital bill. A slow exhale left me as I closed the file and rubbed the back of my neck.
For a long moment, I sat there, staring at the dark window, my reflection faint on the glass. Then I sighed and picked up my phone again.
"Dominic," I muttered as I dialled his contact.
He picked up almost immediately. "Sir? Everything alright?"
"I know why Xena wanted the advance pay," I said quietly.
There was a confused pause. "Wait? Uhm… I thought you said you didn't want her contact. How did you even…"
"Shut up," I cut in sharply, silencing him. "She has a pressing issue. I need you to make a call to St. David's Hospital. Clear her bills. Pay for the surgery."
Dominic went quiet for a beat. Then, "Yes, sir."
"Good," I said. "Inform me when it's done."
"Will do, sir. But… wait."
I could hear him hesitate. "Why are you doing this? I mean, no offence, but… why are you helping her when you clearly were not interested in her phone number before?"
I leaned back against the headboard, eyes half-closed. "Isn't it obvious? I need her in her best shape for the shoot."
There was a low chuckle on the other end. "Are you sure that's the reason? Because I don't know, boss… this doesn't sound like your usual charity work."
I opened one eye, irritation flickering beneath the calm. "Mind your business, Dominic, unless you suddenly have too much free time and want me to help you clear it with extra work."
He laughed nervously. "No, sir. No extra work, sir. Have a nice night."
I ended the call without replying and placed the phone on the nightstand. It wasn't charity. It was logic—at least that's what I told myself. A lead actress distracted wouldn't perform well. This was… an investment.
Still, when I closed my eyes, it wasn't the movie scenes that came to mind—it was her face. I sighed again, shaking the thought off.
"It's just business, nothing more."