Fallen Actress' Comeback: Torn Between the Director and the Mafia Lord Chapter 3: Do Your Worst

Chapter 3

~Xena’s POV~

The mont Xade told I got the role, my heart almost gave out in joy.

I had never planned to audition for any role that day, let alone et Director Xade. Just then, sothing else ca to mind, reminding of the reason why I was in this ss in the first place.

Xade turned to Dominic and ordered, "Tell Tiana to cancel the auditions. I have found my female lead."

"Um, about that." I jumped in quickly, earning a side-long glance from Xade. "Umm, when do I get my signing bonus? You know, like a first paycheck?"

"Pardon?" Dominic leaned forward as though he had heard the most absurd news.

I caught Xade’s displeasure and imdiately dipped my head. "Umm, sorry, forget I said anything."

"Wait." I was just about to leave when his voice rang out, stopping . "You look familiar. I have seen you before. Do I... know you?"

My heart skipped in my chest before doing a 360-degree marathon. "No. I’d never forget such a face if we had t."

His narrowed eyes told he did not believe or buy my story. Still, I did not wait to find out.

By the ti I got ho, the adrenaline that had carried through the day had burned out, leaving only exhaustion and the sour taste of fear in my mouth.

"Mommy!"

The small, bright voice broke through everything. My daughter ca running from the tiny living room, her blonde curls bouncing, while her chubby hands clutched her baby doll.

I dropped to my knees and caught her, burying my face in her soft hair as she giggled against my neck.

"Hey, my love," I whispered, kissing her cheeks until she squealed in that beautiful manner that seed like sunlight after a storm. "Did you miss ?"

She nodded solemnly, then imdiately held up the doll for to see. "Baby slept. Like a good girl."

My heart squeezed. "She did? That’s perfect, sweetheart."

I glanced up at my next-door neighbour’s daughter, the fourteen-year-old who’d been babysitting my daughter while I was gone. "Thank you, Emmy. You’re a lifesaver."

Emmy smiled shyly and waved off the thanks. "No problem, Miss Xena. She’s an angel. I’ll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Emmy."

When the door shut behind her, my heart finally started breathing properly. It didn’t take long for the sound of my daughter humming to her doll to reach my ears.

I stood, my smile faltering, and carried the black briefcase straight to the laundry corner. Without hesitation, I shoved it into the washing machine and slamd the lid down.

Then I turned back to my daughter, forcing calm into my voice. "Baby, play with your doll, okay? Mommy’s coming right back."

She nodded and went back to her toys in the living room. I pulled my phone from my pocket, thumb trembling as I dialled the number Zoa had texted .

The line clicked after two rings.

"Done?"

Liam’s cold, sharp voice asked. There was no greeting, no trace of humanity in his tone as he spoke to like I was one of his underlings.

I scoffed. "Wow. No ’hi,’ no ’you alive?’ Nothing? You sent straight into a setup, and that’s all you have to say?"

"Setup?" His tone hardened. "You’re insane. My client says he never got the goods, and here you are pretending it is a set-up."

I scoffed, disbelieving the words my ears were hearing now.

"Look, Liam."

"No, you look. You do not lie, and you do not co back pretending. I tried to help you, and this is how you repay ? By indirectly running off with my shipnt?"

I laughed bitterly. "You think I’d still be breathing if I stole your damn drugs? The place was crawling with cops. I barely made it out alive."

Silence ensued for a second, followed by a long pause. "God, you’re alive. So, where are my drugs now, Xena?"

"Where’s my money?" I shot back.

He growled softly, the kind of sound that made my stomach twist. "You’re sick. There’s no money. You screwed over, and now you’re..."

"Maybe if you hadn’t set up, I’d have your precious drugs," I cut him off, my voice trembling with anger. "I lost the briefcase when I was being chased, Liam. I almost died. So, no drugs for you."

"You what... How dare you, ungrateful, lying bitch. Give the drugs back or else I’ll co for you."

"Do your worst. I do not have it. And if you dare co for , I’ll report you."

"Xena. Xena, listen to . Aish, this crazy bitch. I warned Zoa to stay away from her useless ass, but she wouldn’t listen."

His words cut deep, but I brushed them aside, keeping my voice from trembling as I added. "Liam Louis, if you do not want that, send the money.".

I hung up before he could say another damning word, tossing the phone onto the bed. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I bit my inner lips to keep myself from yelling in frustration.

I never wanted to take the drugs or lie about losing it, but I fear getting into more trouble if I return them. All I wanted was the money, then I could place the box in a safe place for them to pick up.

I pressed my palms over my face and tried to breathe.

Forty-five thousand dollars. Ms Nancy’s life was hanging by a thread, and I’d just lost the only chance I had.

My eyes darted toward the old photo fra on my nightstand — my father, standing proud in his suit, one arm around , before everything fell apart.

Tears rushed through my eyes as I rembered those days, four years ago. After we lost my mum when I was only six, I beca Dad’s pride and joy.

After which, nanny Nancy took care of like I was her daughter.

Until everything went downhill with my scandal, and I realised too late that my own favourite cousin had set up and had my accounts hacked, making lose all of my savings.

Still, my father wasted not a minute in cutting off from his life and company, leaving with nothing.

Only Ms. Nancy beca my shield when friends and family failed.

My body trembled in rage as I bit harder into my inner lip. "You owe , old man." I clenched my fists. "Even if you disowned , I’m coming back to collect what’s mine."

I glanced toward my daughter, who was now asleep on the couch, her little hand wrapped around the baby doll’s arm. I kissed her forehead softly.

"For you, baby," I whispered. "Mommy will fix everything."