Chapter 8 08

The past few days have been fun... at least in my definition. Nights blurred into parties, mornings turned into afternoons, and sleep became optional. I liked that kind of chaos. But like everything else in my life, it didn't last.

I shot up from my seat as rage surged through me.

"What do you mean I can't use my own money?!" I shouted into the phone.

I rubbed my temples as panic clawed its way in as I paced back and forth across the room while listening to my father's lawyer drone on from the other end of the line. I had only found out that morning when I tried to withdraw cash to buy a bag, that my account had been completely frozen.

Zero access.

Zero explanation.

What the hell?

"Miss Clemente," the lawyer said calmly, "your father claims that money belongs to him. If that's the case, it will be used to post bail-"

"That money is mine," I snapped. "What is he talking about? Did he suddenly forget that he was broke long before I ever was?" I laughed bitterly while shaking my head. "I worked my ass off for that money. That was my savings."

I yanked at my hair in frustration. What was I supposed to live on now? I couldn't even talk to Aziel! When I tried calling, his father answered. I knew then that reaching him was impossible.

I couldn't live like this. Like a nobody.

"Miss Clemente, I'm simply following your father's instructions-"

"You took my money," I cut in sharply. "How do you not understand that? You're a lawyer, but you're acting like an idiot. How did you even get my account number-"

I froze.

"Fuck," I muttered. "Did Aunt Aurora go through my things at the house? That's illegal."

My stomach dropped. I'd left my journal in the drawer. Of all the things I could forget, why that? My passwords were written there. Every single one.

"Even if you claim it's yours," the lawyer continued, "there's no guarantee. If the money came from your father, then it may be tied to the funds he allegedly embezzled-"

"So you're admitting he's guilty now?" I cut in coldly. I straightened up, my voice steady but lethal. "Tell my father this: if my money isn't returned within twenty-four hours, he's not going to like what I do next."

"Miss Clemente-"

"I will not let him steal the money I worked for," I said, my voice shaking with fury. "I will fight back. Against him. Against all of you. Think very carefully, Attorney. I'm not afraid of anything."

He tried to speak again. I ended the call.

I dropped onto the couch, my hands trembling. I wasn't crying because I was helpless, I was crying because I was furious. What kind of idiot leaves something that important behind?

I had no money.

None.

I worked in the Senate after I graduated. I quit because of my father. I couldn't continue as a political advisor when my own father was drowning in corruption. He ruined my career and now he'd taken my savings too.

"That was my money," I whispered as I stared at my bank app. Still zero.

Fuck.

The lawyer didn't even bother calling back. That alone told me everything.

My hand curled into a fist.

They were really testing me.

I dialed Aunt Aurora's number. I had blocked her weeks ago because she wouldn't stop calling. Guess she got tired of begging and decided to steal instead.

"Hello-"

"Thief," I cut in coldly. "Who gave you the right to take my money?"

There was silence. Then she laughed.

My anger spiked. "Don't laugh. Give my money back."

"I told you before, Kaia," she said mockingly. "You can't survive on your own. You need us."

I scoffed. "Is that why you stole from me? No... you need me. If you didn't, you wouldn't have touched my money. I've never stolen from any of you. I can stand on my own."

"You'll come back," she replied smugly. "One day you'll realize you can't live without us-"

"I can take care of myself," I shot back, gripping the phone so hard my knuckles turned white. "Why are you so obsessed with me? Just let me go. I want to live my own life-"

"But you can't live without money," she interrupted and started laughing like a damn psycho.

"I left quietly. I moved out and let you support my father however you wanted. You want the house? Take it. You want to defend a guilty man? Fine. Can't I live in peace? Can't I stay away from your family's mess-"

"Ours," she corrected sharply. "No matter what you do, you're a Clemente. You're part of this whether you like it or not. Don't act innocent like your cheap mother."

My jaw clenched.

"My mother is not cheap," I said through my teeth. "Say another word about her and I won't hold back anymore."

"Stop pretending, Kaia. Your mother left you because she didn't love you-"

"She left because she couldn't stand you," I screamed. My vision blurred but I refused to let the tears fall. "Don't blame my mother. You're the reason she walked away. Because you're all horrible."

My lips trembled. Rage flooded my chest. It was thick and suffocating. I was seconds away from exploding.

"You know me," I said quietly as I wiped my tears.

I took a deep breath forcing myself to calm down. "And you know I can be a bitch."

"Don't threaten me," she sneered. "If you're cruel, I'm worse."

I laughed.

"You're right. You raised a bitch. And now she's a monster. You clearly don't know me anymore. You want a war? Fine. I'll give you and my father one. And remember this... don't ever mess with me again."

I ended the call.

I stood up slowly and faced the mirror. Fire burned in my eyes. Rage stared back at me.

They wanted a fight?

Fine.

I wasn't going down that easily.

Once my breathing steadied, I picked up my phone and dialed another number. It rang several times before he answered.

"Hello? Who's this?"

I swallowed, eyes still locked on my reflection.

"Is this Attorney Damon Fontanilla?"

I paused.

"I want to testify against Senator Clemente."