Chapter 4: What now?

Neriah POV

I came back to the house feeling dejected. My one shot to get out of that show fell through. It seems that in this life, I will still have to change my fate and be a part of that show.

Nila has been acting a little off since leaving the studio today. I think she is just as disappointed as I am, though. Hopefully, her spirits will lift soon. I will let her out for a run in a little while. First, food. I’m starving.

I walk into the house and see Jemisha celebrating something with Dad and Regina. I pass through the room, and Jemisha calls out. “Sister! I’m so excited! Did I forget to tell you that I am part of that new reality TV show? The one about claiming a worthy Luna?

Just like our past life. She joined, and then she had that snake put on the mountain to destroy me. “What a coincidence. So am I,” I said calmly, waiting for Regina to react. Without missing a beat, she started screaming like a banshee.

“WHAT?!” Regina said. “Withdraw! Right now! You are not going to ruin Jemisha’s chances at becoming a Luna!”

Jemisha looked at me with a wicked smile. “That’s right, sister. I heard Silas joined, and you ran right behind him and entered, too. I joined to make sure that you don’t embarrass yourself.”

“Silas entered? How wonderful for him,” I said.

“Withdraw, Neriah! You need to let your sister have this!” Regina screamed.

“I can’t. I’m contractually obligated, Regina,” I said, not giving her two seconds to continue screaming. “Unless you want to pay the penalty fees. It’s two hundred thousand dollars.”

“HOW MUCH!?”

“Page seven of eight. Termination clause. Read it for yourself,” I said, handing the contract to my father.

He read it, and his face turned red. He looked at me. “You joined such a competition without talking to us first?”

I laughed. “I’m certain that Jemisha didn’t talk to you first before joining. Why are you not scolding her? Or is your favoritism just that plain to see now? Besides, I’m eighteen. I don’t need your permission to join that show.”

I took the contract out of my father’s hands and folded it before tucking it into my back pocket.

“YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT! WE SUPPORT YOU ALL THESE YEARS, AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY US!? BY BEING DISRESPECTFUL?!” the banshee screamed again.

I rolled my eyes. “Support? Fifty dollars a month, while Jemisha received fifty thousand a month. I have to use that fifty dollars to buy my own school supplies, food, and personal items every month. Honestly, your support is no better than giving a beggar spare change.”

My father looked at me strangely. “I set it up for you to get fifty thousand a month, too, Neriah.”

I laughed, pulled out my phone, and showed him my online banking deposits. “Am I lying?”

“Why didn’t you say something?” He asked.

“I did, and you said I was just trying to get extra. Now that you see the truth, why don’t you ask your precious Regina and Jemisha where that money went?” I asked and then continued, “What’s even more appalling is that you don’t even notice that I wear plain, thrift store clothes while your mate and demon spawn dress better than your eldest daughter. You are either blind or willfully ignorant. Which one is it, Father?”

Then I turned and went to my room. As I walked away, I said over my shoulder, “Don’t worry, though. Soon I will be out of everyone’s way.”

I went to my room and closed my door. My room is small. There is a twin-size bed, nightstand, and small dresser. Not that I need a dresser. I only have enough outfits for one week. I keep them clean, but still, it’s nothing compared to all the clothes Jemisha and Regina have. Some clothes sit in their closets with tags still on them.

I have to save from my fifty dollars just to afford shoes. I have one pair of sneakers, and very few clothes. Shifting requires planning. I can’t afford to rip my clothes apart during a shift. That’s why shifting alone was scary. I stripped a few minutes before midnight and hid my clothes. A rogue could have come out and hurt me. No one cared, though. Story of my life.

I sighed. I am going to leave this place. I am going to live this time. I want to find my own happiness. Search for my mate, and see what special gift I have with my mate. But before I can do any of that, I am going to make damn sure they all pay!