Chapter 2
The truth is, Xena was the real daughter of Lindbey and the one who’d snatched Janie’s life away. Because of that, Xena got to live the dream- pampered and spoiled like a princess in the Jenkins‘ house, while Janie had to struggle and suffer with Lindsey.
The room was dead quiet. No one wanted to bring up Nena leaving, but Janie’s blunt question threw everyone off–they didn’t expect her to come out with it se straight.
Zion was the first to snap. He shot Janie a dirty look, his voice full of venom. “Oh, I knew if You showed up just to boot Xena, didn’t you? Well, let me spell it out for you–it ain’t happening. She’s our princess, and she’s staying. Don’t like it Too bad. Deal with it”
The others? Dead silent. But their faces Screaming. “Yeah, what he said.”
even now, knowing the
The Jenkins family was all about their “love and harmony” act. Xena, their once–only girl, had been treated like royalty. And e was the child of the woman who’d taken their real daughter? They just couldn’t let her go.
ves all puffy
face was streaked with tears, eyes
Jamie didn’t say a word. She was done. Not even a flicker of anything in her chest at this point.
But there out of nowhere. Xena came rushing in, sobbing like it was the end of the world. Her f
“T’m sorry” she bawled. I know you hate me, but I can’t leave Dad, Mom, or my brothers. If you wanna yell at me, hit me, whatever–just do it. I do anything to stay, even if it means being a maid or cleaning the place. I just wanna be with them”
Everyone melted right there and then. Everyone, except Janie.
Zion was the first to stup–again. He rushed over to Xena, all panicked. “Xena, shut it! What are you even saying? This is your home. You’re not
going anywhere”
nonsense.”
Ryan looked like he’d just sucked on a sour lemon. “Being a maid or cleaning the place! Are you nuts! Stop with that nonse
Xena cried even harder. “But it’s true… I’m not meant to be here, not from the start…
Kathy was a mess. “What are you talking about?” She reached for Xena like her heart was breaking. This is exactly where you’re meant to be Xena just bit her lip, staring straight at Janie, all stubborn and teary–eyed.
make.
The whole room followed her gaze. Now everyone was looking at Janie, waiting for her to say something, like this was her call to r But Janie knew exactly where she wood–even if she told Xena to hit the road, the others wouldn’t let it slide. Janie knew she wasn’t the big deal
bere.
No, not a chance. Janie knew that she wasn’t that big of a deal here.
“Janie, Xena’s part of our family, too” Frank finally cleared his throat, trying to smooth thing
things over. “I really hope you two can get along.”
Kathy paused for a beat, then jumped right in, her voice shaky but determined. Lindsey Carter’s a total waste of space–we can’t let Xena be stuck with venrour like her Janse, from now on, you and Xena are both my daughters, got in?”
Hearing that Zion perked up unmediately. “Exactly!” He chimed, “Xena’s been our precious her whole life–there’s no way she’d make it in some dump. And don’t even get me started on that Carter, Swapping a kidi ple’s trash. Xena doesn’t deserve to be stuck with someone like her
fum a look that shut him down. Zion stopped mid–sentence, but he clearly wasn’t done yet.
“Janir, if you really don’t want me here, I’ll leave, Xena said, wiping her tears away. Her voice was shaky but calm. “But in not going back to Lindsey Like Zaun said, what she did… it’s messed up. I can’t deal with living with her. Just take care of Mom and Dad… I’m begging you” Zion supped, “What kind of crap is that? You’re not going anywhere, Xena. No one’s kicking you out.”
He shot Janie a sharp look. Janie just smirked, acy and pissed. She was over it. This place wasn’t b home, and it never would be.
“Just to be clear, Xena,” Janir said. “Are you really going to take off just because I told you to!”
went ghost whate, like
just been hit with a ton of bricks. Everyone che looked just as shook–It was pretty clear they were all wary
Kathy and Zion yanked her back shown..
“I understand. I’ll leave right now Xena stammered, barely able to stand, Ini Kail
“Where are you going?” cried Kaily, and Zion’s voice broke in “Janie, what the hell are you trying to pills
Janie didn’t answer but laugh at Zion’s question. She turned towards Xena and asked “Serms like you don’t actually want to leave, huh? So what’s all this drama for!”
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Chapter 2
Nena muuumuted as she slavinkes back. “Na Lig
sena, Kathy almost begged, “That’s enou
Jame leanest back, her voter even bon sharp. “Alright, you don’t have to overreact. I was just saying what anyone would. I get it–you’re all close, and ite not my place to decide who stays or gors. You can go right on pretending everything’s fine”
Although her words hit a nerve, the family still collectively let east a feats, relieved she wasn’t pushing harder. But di
then, Janie turned her gaze
Yin much think you can
an trash talk i indsey all you want, but here’s the deal–you dont get to She continued, voice sharp. “You’ve been living the post lite bes aise of what she slid. Voudre tied to her, whether you like
Sena’s face drained of color, her lips pressing is a tight line. She got it–Jamir won’t here to play nice,
Janie couldn’t care less about their reactions. “So, are we all good now?” she asked, switching gears. “By the way,
where’s my room?”
Janie’s bedroomy was massive—dis own luude suite with a private bathroom and walk–in closet. Everything was in soft, neutral colors, stylish but not over the top.
After locking the door, Jaine collapsed onto the sola. She sat there for a moment, completely still and quiet. Then, she held out her hand, and a flicker of golden light sparked to life.
She closed her eyes, focusing intently, feeling everything around her…And then, when she opened her eyes again, she was somewhere entirely
Shed first stumbled into this strange world right after her SAT exam. She’d been on her laptop, minding her business, when a weird pop–up appeared Neainst all logic, she clicked it
Nest thing she knew, she was here—in a sprawling, endless space that seemed to go on forever. It was straight out of a game, full of randoms who seemed to know how to do just about anything–warriors, healers, mages as many as one can name it, not to even mention endless books and scrolls, packed with knowledge just waiting her to absorb
Janie had her “What the hell is going on?” moment. But she wasn’t dumb. She figured out pretty quick she’d hit the cosmic jackpot
So she dug in, diving headfirst into learning everything she could. If it’s meant to be, she ought to make the most of it—And the same deal this time, she got no time to waste.
She spent her uume in this mysterious world until lunchtime rolled around. When she finally stepped out of her room, everyone else was already at
the table.
“Look who trally decided to join us,” ineered Zion, “You think the world revolves around you or
“something?”
“Don’t be so rude, Zion” Kathy waved Janie over with a warm smile and said, Come sit by me, sweetheart
Janur didur bother arguing. She slid into the seat next to her, and Kathy immediately started piling food in front of her
“I don’t know your favorites yet” She said. “Tell me later, so I can make something special for you next time?
“Tri fine with anything” Janur answered flatly. She wasn’t used to being sloted on, and honestly, it felt a little too late for that now,
“You Had had such a hard time living with that awful Carter Kathy sniffled, dabbing at her eyes, “If it weren’t for..circumstances, I’d have made sure she ended uga in prison?“
Needless to say, the “circumstances” were Xena. Hecause of her, Lindsey got away with everything. Hearing the conversation, Xena stayed quiet, pale
Zion, on the other hand, looked like he was gearing up to fire off another insult, but one glare from Ethan shun him down. He resorted to glaring daggers at Janir instead.
Jane smirked to herself. What a coward. But if they thought she was easy to push around, they were lead wrong
“Speaking of which we’ll throw a big party soon to announce your identity, Jante Kathy tiptoes around the topic, “Let everyone k know you’re our real daughter What do you say?”
Before Janie could reply, Zion had altrady slamuned his bowl down so hard the table railed
I no one acknowledged his linde tam
tantrum. Looking and for backup before continuing, Kathy hesitated, “What if we told everyone you, Xena,
12:08 PM c
Chapter 2
⠀ and Zion are triplets? Would that work for you?”
Janie stopped mid–bite, her gaze cool as she looked up. Kathy, squirmed under the weight of Janies Han, eventually dropping her eyes to her lap, failed to say another word
She knew she was asking too much. How could she cut Xena out after loving her like a daughter for eighteen years? Both girls were her daughters in her mind–one by birth, one by bond, but it was obvious who her heart favored.
The silence finally got to Frank. “Janie, you have to get it,” he said. “If Xena’s real story gets out, it’s going to wreck her life” He pleaded, “What kind of future does she even have! Can’t you both just stick around and be our daughters, like, together!”
Janie still didn’t speak up, and it seemed to push Zion over the edge. “What’s your deal?” He went off, “You want Xena out that bad? Dream on!”
“Zion!” Kathy glared at him, then she turned back to Janie, her voice soft and almost begging. “Dear, it’s all my fault you were taken away. Blame me if you have to, but don’t take it out on Xena. She’s just as innocent as you are…
“No, it’s on me. Frank sighed, “I should’ve paid more attention back then”
“If anyone’s to blame, it’s me,” Ethan added.
Xena chimed in, her voice barely a whisper. “No. it’s my fault…
Janie looked at all of them, watching them toss around guilt like it was a game of hot potato. Honestly, it was pathetic. Who else was there to blame except Lindsey!
“So, what’s the deal” she grinned. “You guys going to hold a little debate to see who messed up
the most
