13. Burning Bridges

AYRA

"He also wants you to fake date someone else to take the heat off the whole situation, so it wouldn't seem like you feel miserable about the whole divorce thing."

I didn't know why I expected any better, but I didn't dare say anything. I just stood there and listened to my father speak like he wasn't asking me to commit social suicide. And what broke the camel's back was when he said:

"And he's also giving me the investment I asked for. I already have everything planned, the business is finally looking better—"

"You can't be serious… You can't be bloody serious," I said, my voice deadly low. My nails dug into my palms, threatening to draw blood.

"Ayra, what is your problem this time? This is basically a win-win for every one of us. Can't—"

"Can't I what? Understand? Make space? This is what I've always been and will always be to you, isn't it?—a bargaining chip." The words tasted bitter on my tongue, years of resentment bubbling to the surface.

Ayra, get married to Christopher Yaldon, it's tradition—no problem, I was foolishly in love. It worked out.

Ayra, can you be more welcoming to your stepmom and sibling? Sure, anything to feel wanted.

Ayra, can you, can you—

"Can you just fucking stop it!" I screamed, the tears dangerously close to spilling. My voice echoes off the walls.

"I came here to listen to my father do something for me just for once, and this is all I get? I don't know why I try with you. I don't know why I believe there's some part of you that truly cares about my own desires. All you do is plot out ways you can use me to achieve your own needs, and I'm done. So no, I can't. I refuse to," I said, turning away quickly as the tears started falling uncontrollably.

His expression shifted, not to understanding but to annoyance, like I was being unreasonable.

I could hear my name being called as I stormed out, his voice growing more frustrated with each repetition. "Ayra! Don't walk away when I'm speaking to you. AYRA!"

But I didn't bother. The slam of the door behind me felt good, even if it was a momentary feeling.

Outside in the hallway, I pressed my back against the cool wall, trying to collect myself.

Adrian Smith would never change, and I wouldn't fall for his “care” again.

Then I heard my phone ringing, it was Raven calling. I didn't feel like speaking, but this could be urgent, so I answered, quickly wiping away tears with my free hand.

"Yolo Entertainment just released an official statement!" she blurted out.

I was tired and done. I couldn't care about any of this anymore. I just wanted to disappear. So I just nodded and said, "Alright." My voice sounded distant even to my own ears.

Then, as if she could tell my mood was bad, she said in a small voice, "Want me to come pick you up?"

I sighed, wishing I didn't have to drive myself back. The thought of sitting alone with my thoughts for the entire drive was almost unbearable. "Don't worry, I've got it. I'm on my way."

"You're going to be pleasantly surprised—just get here as fast as you can, while staying safe and following protocols, of course," she smiled. There was something in her tone that was excitement mixed with confusion.

I ended the call and headed to my car, catching my reflection in the window. My eyes were red and my mascara was slightly smudged—I looked like shit.

******

Immediately, I opened the door; Raven said, "Read this." She handed me her phone, and there was the statement from my management. The screen was still warm from her constantly refreshing the page.

The Statement:

"The rumour going around about our actress Ayra Smith not being a part of the 'Love for a Thousand Years' family isn't true. She has been busy preparing and learning her script, so she can't do a formal video addressing the rumours right now, but fans should expect this soon.

Thank you, and we hope you love Wren as much as Ayra, because she will be pouring her heart into this movie."

I couldn't believe what I was reading. How did this happen? Just three days ago, Matt was practically telling me this was out of his hands and now this complete reversal? Something wasn't adding up.

"What? Matt had a change of heart, or what?" I turned to Raven, stunned by the whole situation.

She grinned and shook her head, "I don't know. I've been trying to get to him, but he's busy right now and he has a scheduled meeting with you by 3 p.m. today." She checked her watch. "That's in about four hours."

This definitely wasn't Chris because he didn't have the backbone to go against his father's wishes, and no one knew about this issue specifically except… Brielle.

"Brielle! That crazy girl must have spoken to her dad without letting me know," I said, trying to get to my phone when my eyes caught a white package on the glass centre table.  "What's this?" I asked.

"Yeah, I forgot to tell you. You got a package and it didn't say who it was from, so I decided it was best you opened it up yourself," she said, eyeing it with equal parts curiosity and suspicion. "It arrived about an hour ago. Special courier, a hot guy in a suit, not the regular delivery service."

I walked to the table and picked up the package. It was weightless but wrapped properly and carefully, the paper expensive, with a subtle texture under my fingertips. My heart raced as I carefully undid the wrapping.

After opening it, I saw it was a document. Thick, legal-looking paper with official seals and signatures that made my stomach drop.

After reading the contents, I couldn't contain my shock. The deeds to the entire Yolo Entertainment were in my hands, and then I saw a small white note on it with a single word: Sign

This meant that I would be the owner of a whole entertainment company. This was insane.

"Well, what is it? You're scaring me, Ayra," Raven said, looking at me frantically. She moved closer, trying to read.

"Yolo Entertainment," I said with a gasp of disbelief. My fingers traced over the logo at the top of the page.

"What do you mean?" she said, rushing to read the documents.

"Someone just gave me the entire Yolo Entertainment." 

I could see the realisation dawn in Raven's eyes, her expression shifting from confusion to shock to something like awe.

"Who could do this?"