“Why do you think? Your upcoming movies with Mike are the reason he wouldn’t make the ones she’s bringing him. You’re taking away her golden goose.”
“But I’m her only daughter.”
“Welcome to Hollywood, Kid. These standards don’t apply in our world.”
Wiping my eyes again didn’t work. Tears streamed down my face, and I wanted to punch a hole in the wall.
“Get it together, and don’t worry. We got your back,” he said.
“Thanks.” I sniffled. “Can I please have this recording? I think I owe Andrea a visit.”
“Maggie—”
“Don, please,” I pleaded. “I need to do this.”
Scene50
Maggie
I shoved my way past Loretta. “Where is she?”
“Upstairs.” She closed the door. “What’s wrong? Are you all right?”
I glanced at the real kindness and concern in the housekeeper’s eyes—the emotions I’d never seen in my own mother’s—so hurt and sad and angry I couldn’t speak. I grabbed the railing and flew to my parents’ bedroom.
“Andrea!” I popped open the door, my eyes darting around the room. Mymotherwas sitting at her dresser, applying makeup. She could use all the makeup in the world, but it would never be enough to hide this evil, narcissistic face. Not from me.
“Maggie?” She barely looked at me. “What are you doing here? And what the hell are you thinking barging into my room like this?”
“Why the fuck are you trying to sabotage my movie?”
“Do you think this is a proper way to talk to your mother?”
“Mother? You call yourself a mother? What mother tries everything in her might to destroy her child’s career and reputation? What mother spreads a lie about her own daughter being a drug addict?”
“Are you out of your mind?” Andrea looked at me over her shoulder. “I can’t believe it. You’re in the middle of making your firstindiefeature and already think people are jealous of you and out there to get you?”
A familiar pain resonated through my body. The kind I’d felt for years whenever Andrea began gaslighting, putting me on defense mode, making me feel low about myself.
But this time, I was too angry to take the bait. “Before you even think about lying, listen to this.” I played the recording on my phone.
Andrea continued fixing her fake lashes as if she heard nothing. Then she just sighed.
“Aren’t you gonna say anything?” I demanded. “I can sue you with this, you know?”
“Sue me?” Andrea finally stood and turned to face me. “You’re going to sue your mother for trying to protect you?”
“Protect me?! From what?!”
“From this biz. You know nothing about it and don’t have the skills or the experience to survive it. You’re too weak to handle it.”
My pulse thumped between my temples. Even my damn eyes seemed to throb. My mind was dragging itself around in a circle struggling not to fall into Andrea’s trap. There was no point in defending myself or convincing my mother I was good enough for anything. “Even if you think that’s true, your idea of protecting me is telling my producer I’m a fucking junkie?”
“Maggie, what you need to understand is that you belong in your father’s company and with Kyle.”
“I don’t…” I gritted my teeth, my fists clenched limply by my sides, fighting to regain control. “So this is what it’s all about. Mike.”
“Isn’t he whatthisis all about to you? You don’t really care about making movies. You got in the business for him. To gain his attention and make him fall for you.” Andrea smirked. “But he’s not for you, Maggie. Never will be.”
