Fallen Actress' Comeback: Torn Between the Director and the Mafia Lord-Chapter 16: Your Face All Red

Chapter 16

~Xena’s POV~

For a second, everything inside me stopped. My daughter, my tiny, bright-eyed Skai, stood right in front of the man like she had wandered into a horror movie without knowing it.

He lowered his gaze briefly to her. That same unreadable, unbothered cold look sent shivers down my spine. Then he lifted his eyes back to me. His expression didn’t shift, not even a blink.

"The briefcase."

His voice was deep, flat, and cold enough to run down my spine like a bucket of ice water. My body reacted before my brain could catch up, fear spiking, legs suddenly weak.

I hurried forward, heart thumping hard, and grabbed Skai’s hand gently but firmly. "Come here," I whispered, pulling her behind me like a shield I should’ve put up earlier.

Keeping my eyes on him, I reached out for the briefcase with one hand. My palm felt sweaty around the handle. "There. You have it. You can..."

"I’ll be on my way," he cut in, already turning toward the door.

Slight hope raced through me, but I was careful, and then he paused, glancing slightly over his shoulder.

"I hope all the contents are here?"

"Yes," I said quickly. "It’s exactly as I was given it. I didn’t open it."

He stared at me like he was taking my face apart piece by piece, trying to decide if I was lying. I did my best in keeping my expression neutral.

At least my years of acting helped me with that.

The silence stretched a beat too long while he assessed me. Finally, he gave a slow nod and walked out.

The door clicked shut.

I didn’t breathe until the sound of his footsteps faded down the hallway.

"Jesus..." I whispered under my breath. I rushed to the door and locked it with the key, bolt, chain, everything.

My hands shook so hard the keys clattered against the metal.

As soon as it was secure, I dropped to my knees and gestured towards my daughter.

As soon as she was within distance, I pulled Skai against my chest, hugging her tightly. Her small arms wrapped around my neck.

"Mommy..." she mumbled in that soft but uncertain voice she used when she wasn’t sure of things. "Who was that man? Why did he look like he wanted to shout at you?"

I smoothed her hair and kissed the top of her head, trying to steady my breathing. "No one you need to worry about, sweetheart."

"He looked mean," she said again, puffing her cheeks in a pout. "Did he do something bad? If he hurts mommy, I’m going to beat him for you."

"No." My answer came too quickly and was too sharp. I softened my voice when I noticed how tensed she was, but being the little darling that she was, Skai smiled like it was nothing.

"No, baby. Everything’s fine now, okay? He’s gone."

She blinked up at me with those big, trusting eyes. It made my chest squeeze painfully. I forced a smile and brushed her cheek. "Come on. Let’s get you ready for a bath."

"A bath?" she whined lightly, but she didn’t pull away.

"Yes. Then we’ll eat something quick and go visit Nanny Nancy, remember?"

I tried to sound normal, calm, like the last ten minutes hadn’t felt like standing at the edge of a cliff with a blindfold on.

Skai nodded slowly. "Yay... how’s Nanny doing?"

"She’s fine now."

I held her hand as we stood. My legs still felt weak, but I pushed the feeling aside. Today wasn’t about panic or fear.

It was about getting my daughter fed, bathed, and safely tucked into my arms where nothing—and no one—could touch her.

Even if that meant pretending I wasn’t still shaking on the inside.

* * * * * *

The hospital was quieter than usual when we walked in. The typical hospital fluorescent lights, the faint smell of disinfectant, and nurses speaking in soft tones as if they were all guarding one giant sleeping baby.

But I knew too well they’d engaged in another gossip scandal.

Skai held my hand tightly, swinging it a little as we approached the reception.

"Nanny Nancy..." I told the nurse, barely finishing before she nodded.

"She’s resting," the woman said kindly. "She’s been asleep since after the surgery. No interruptions, please."

My chest loosened a little. "She came out of surgery okay, right?"

A doctor nearby turned when he heard. "Are you Nancy Wilson’s family?"

"Yes," I replied quickly.

He smiled lightly as if relieved. "Everything went smoothly. There were no complications at all. You do not have to worry. She just needs to rest and regain strength."

Relief washed through me so fast I had to inhale slowly to balance myself. "Thank you, doctor. Thank you for taking care of her, really."

His lips pulled back some more. "You’re welcome. She should be awake in a little while if you want to wait."

"Sure. We will."

The doctor did not spend another minute and left. Thanking the receptionist, I led Skai to the small bench near Nancy’s room. The corridor was cool, and the air conditioner blended with the soft beeps from the rooms.

Skai climbed onto my lap, leaning her warm cheek against my chest. After a few quiet minutes, she lifted her head.

"Mommy... is Nanny Nancy okay?"

"Yes, baby," I said softly, brushing her curls away from her forehead.

"Then why can’t we see her?"

I beamed at my little princess. "She’s okay. She’s just sleeping. We do not want to disrupt Nanny’s peaceful sleep, do we?"

Skai shook her head. I patted her hair softly and let my eyes and thoughts drift away.

No sooner had I done that than I felt my daughter shift on my lap.

I glanced down at her to see Skai’s face brighten instantly, her little body bouncing in excitement. "Yay! Can we buy a cake to celebrate when she wakes up? From the bakery I like?"

That one word ’bakery’ was like a punch to my stomach. Instantly, my smile froze.

The scene from earlier today replayed in my head.

The little banter between both men like they were a bunch of high schoolers, Xavier’s mouth brushing mine, Xade’s cold stare, the bakery bell chiming... My heart jumped into my throat.

And then... the kiss.

My breath caught, and I blinked fast.

Xav...

Shit.

I swallowed, trying to act normal for Skai’s sake, but my heart was racing again. How was I going to face him after all that?

"Mum?" Skai’s voice pulled me out of my reverie. "Why is your face all red?"