Page 104 of Once A Villain

“That’s impossible…I would’ve known.”

“Well, now you do. So, what are you going to do about it?” She folds her arms, enjoying my distress.

“Why do you want the villa?”

“It’s none of your business.” She shrugs dismissively.

“I don’t believe you. My dad would never lie about something like that.”

“Believe what you want. But the villa’s yours. So, unless you want me to spill your little secret, you’ll sign it over to me.”

“You can’t blackmail me. This is bullshit.”

“Yes, I can,” she says, her smile a wicked twist. “And I will. So, what’s it going to be, Rory?”

“Why do you even want it?”

“Again, that’s none of your concern,” she snaps. “Now, what’s your decision?”

“Fuck you,” I spit, fists balled at my sides.

“Here’s the deal, Rory. You’ve got until the end of the month to hand over the villa. If not, I’ll send those photos and bank statements to your father, Spencer, the High Chancellor, and Axe.”

“They’ll kill me,” I plead, panicked.

“You made this mess. You knew the rules, broke the oath.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because I can.” She stands and strides toward the door. “End of the month. Or your dirty secret’s all over the place.” She opens the door, pausing to throw a final icy look over her shoulder. “Oh, and one more thing: you step down as lead Siren.”

“Over my dead body.”

“That can be arranged.” She shrugs, a cold glint in her eyes. “I’m sure your father and the Sovereign will understand.”

Laughing, she struts out of the dressing room.

Fear, rage, and shame swirl inside me. I need to act, but how? One wrong move, and I’m done. The Sovereign won’t excuse this; my father will disown me. They’ll kill me. Breaking the oath is not tolerated.

Tears blur my vision as a sob erupts from my chest. I stagger to the sink, trembling.

I need a plan. But what? I’m trapped.

Gripping the sink, I catch my reflection in the mirror—bloodshot eyes, tear-streaked face. Is Alicia telling the truth? Is the villa really mine? Why would Dad keep this from me?

And what about my mom? Did she have secrets too?

I have to see my father. Now.

I splash water on my face, trying to pull myself together. Panicking won’t help. I need to stay calm. I take deep breaths, trying to steady the storm inside, though the pit in my stomach grows deeper with each passing second.

I bolt from the dressing room, my pulse pounding in sync with the relentless downpour. Rain beats against my windshield as I tear through the city, disregarding every traffic law and pedestrian in my path.

I slam into the parking lot and park haphazardly. My hand shakes as I jab the buttons. The elevator doors slide open, and I step inside. No, she must be lying. My father wouldn’t do this. He wouldn’t.

I charge toward his office. My father is at his desk, flanked by high-ranking Sovereigns. Spencer looks up, his surprise clear.

“Rory!” My father’s shock morphs into anger. “What the hell are you doing? You can’t just barge in here.”

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