CHAPTER 1
~Xena's POV~
"Three thousand dollars?" I repeated, staring at the blinking billboard above the tiny commercial ring. The neon lights buzzed like dying flies. "Marcus, that's all they can pay?"
"Xena, I pushed, okay?" His sigh came sharp through the phone. "They said three's the ceiling, take it or leave it. You want exposure, right?"
"I need the money for surgery, not exposure," I bit out, pacing the cracked pavement.
He interrupted before I could go on. "Yes, for your nanny. I know."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, forcing myself to breathe. "She helped me when I had nothing, Marcus."
"And you still have nothing," he said flatly like it was a fact written in stone.
That one landed. I shut my eyes, swallowing back the lump in my throat. "You're an ass."
"Do I need to remind you of your situation? Not only did you lose everything, you're still in business school and you have a daughter."
"I know but…"
He ignored me. "Besides, they know about the scandal."
My stomach dropped. "How… how do they know?"
"I might've… mentioned your real name. Thought it'd help. You're a good actress, and I figured…"
"You what?" My voice cracked, disbelief and anger cutting through. "How could you do something so stupid? They were offering five thousand, Marcus. It still wasn't enough, we hoped to raise it higher and now it's three."
There was a shuffle on his end, the faint sound of laughter, then a female voice — bright, cheerful. "Thank you, Marcus! I can't believe they offered fifteen grand for just one shoot. You're a lifesaver!"
My throat tightened. Fifteen thousand. For one commercial. My eyes burned as I pictured her — probably smiling in some designer outfit, while I stood here with cracked heels and bills stacked higher than my pride.
"Wow," I said bitterly. "Glad to know who gets the miracles these days."
He hesitated for half a breath, then his tone hardened.
"Look," he snapped, cutting me off. "Had you not fucked your way up the ladder, and not had that scandal, you wouldn't be in these shoes! You're lucky they even called. I can't work miracles. Be grateful and accept it, or we're done."
Then the line went dead.
For a few seconds, all I heard was static — inside the phone, inside my head. I lowered it slowly, the world around me dissolving into the hum of engines and the chatter of people who had no idea who I was, or what it felt like to lose everything.
Three years. Three damn years since my life went up in smoke.
One morning, I'd woken to my phone blowing up — messages, calls, tags. And then… the video of me naked and getting fucked hard while moaning like my life depended on it was all over the internet.
Every click had spread my humiliation faster than wildfire. I didn't even know my cousin had recorded it until my bank account was wiped, my socials hacked, and my phone blew up with "slut" and "homewrecker" comments.
I'd gone to my favourite cousin for help but overheard her on the phone, claiming she orchestrated my downfall. In rage, I had burst into her living room and accused her.
She didn't deny it. Just said, "Sorry, babe. You were getting too lucky. Needed a little fall to stay grounded. Now, everything is mine and you have no proof."
Grounded.
I laughed under my breath now, that bitter, cracked kind of laugh that stung your eyes. My phone buzzed again.
I looked down to see an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Miss Xena, this is Dr. Ralph from St. Mitchelle's Hospital," came the calm voice.
My heart lurched. "Doctor, how's Mrs. Nancy? Is she okay?"
"She's stable for now," he said, "but we need to proceed with surgery by tomorrow morning. Without it, her condition will worsen."
My throat tightened. "Please… can't you just start? I'll get you the money. I promise. Just give me some time, like a…"
"Miss Xena, you already owe fifteen thousand in medical bills," his voice cut in.
"I'll find it. I swear, I'll bring it in. I just need time. Please. She's been with me for years. She took care of me and… she means so much to me. I can't let her…"
"You've been saying that for a week." His tone softened, but it didn't help. "If we don't get forty-five thousand by tomorrow, we can't continue."
"No, please."
"I'm sorry but we'll have to suspend her care."
The line went dead again.
My throat tightened until I could barely breathe. Forty-five thousand. I couldn't even get five.
My phone buzzed once more. I glanced down, half in annoyance and half in hope, thinking my agent called but instead I was met with a private number.
I wiped my eyes and answered, voice barely holding. "Yes?"
"Girl, it's Zoa." Her tone was light, too casual for my mood. "You sound like hell."
"Good ear," I muttered.
"I was at your place. Your daughter said the nanny's still in the hospital. Liam heard and said he might have something for you."
My chest squeezed tight but hope flared. "Zoa, please, I need a loan. If there's any way you can lend me forty-five thousand…"
"I can't, Xee. Honey, you know I'm broke. But Liam might help if you… help him."
"Help him?" I echoed, unsure of what she meant. "How?"
She hesitated, then sighed. "Just a delivery. Small box. Quick stop at a hotel. Easy cash."
My gut twisted. My instincts already knew what she wanted. "Zoa. Please tell me it's not drugs."
A burst of laughter crackled through the line. "You're so dramatic. It's just weed. Totally harmless, okay? Everyone smokes it these days."
"I'm not doing that," I said flatly. "I'm not risking—"
Then a deeper voice came through. "Miss Xena, Liam here."
My stomach sank.
"Let's be real. You need money. Forty-five grand, right? Would you rather let your pride kill an innocent woman?"
My silence was answer enough.
"I'll make it fifty," he added smoothly. "Forty-five grand for her surgery, five for you. All clean and quick. Five seconds to decide. Five… four… three… two…"
I closed my eyes. Nancy's weak smile flashed before me — her trembling hand stroking my daughter's hair, whispering lullabies when I couldn't even stand.
"Fine," I whispered. "I'll do it."
Liam chuckled. "Good choice. Come to 3rd and Meyer in an hour. Don't be late."