The Black Swan's Final Revenge Pirouette: The 99th Game Was Mine All Along by Kylie Homme

Chapter 3

Before Ariana could refuse, Luigi had already grabbed her wrist and practically dragged her to his Tesla.

The car pulled up outside The Box, Manhattan’s most exclusive members–only club. After parking. Luigi circled around to her side and opened the door with a theatrical flourish that once would have made her

heart flutter.

Ariana gave him a flat, empty stare as she stepped out.

The moment they entered the dimly lit space, Ariana’s attention was immediately drawn to a familiar

figure.

Leila Brown.

She wore a champagne silk slip dress with a dangerously high slit, Louboutins, and just enough. diamonds to look effortless. Her glossy hair fell in loose waves, and her calculated smile drew everyone in as she held court in the VIP section, cocktail in hand.

Leila had been Luigi’s childhood friend. Though they had grown up together, during the years Ariana had dated Luigi, the two women had never crossed paths.

So she’d never suspected that Luigi had been obsessed with Leila all along.

When Leila spotted them, her eyes flickered with recognition, then narrowed into the slightest smirk–a look that confirmed everything. She’d been in on the 99–part revenge scheme all along.

This is revenge #97, Ariana realized with stomach–turning clarity. Coming here

was a setup.

Luigi also noticed Leila’s presence. His fingers tensed around Ariana’s before he abruptly dropped her hand like it had burned him.

He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear: “Gotta take this call. Network with people or whatever. Back

in five.”

Ariana stood frozen, watching Luigi’s retreating figure, a cold emptiness spreading through her chest. The casualness of his dismissal felt like another slap in the face.

already gliding across the room with runway precision, following directly

leading, one following–disappeared around a corner, no

Chapter 3

on what they might be doing together, as Luigi’s friends quickly surrounded

her.

isn’t Luigi’s favorite charity case! Tyler’s voice boomed as he showed

head firmly. I don’t

buzzkill,” Blake sneered. “What’s wrong, afraid Daddy Luigi will get mad?”

exchanging knowing glances.

maybe she can’t handle her liquor.” Derek added, pushing the glass toward her lips. Tittle Mi Perfect probably gets wasted off one shot.”

Josh blocked her path. “Either

tried to break free, Tyler gave her a hard shove.

“Ah-

lost her balance and

engulfed her

but her clothes quickly became waterlogged,

her down.

surface blurred and distorted as her

of Luigi’s apartment. Her head pounded with each heartbeat, and her

her vision and saw Luigi sitting by the bed, holding a glass of water

voice soft with what

pills and swallowed them with the

she only registered that her throat felt like she’d swallowed glass and her body seemed to

wanting to escape back into

Chapter 3

scorching through her

time later–minutes or hours, she couldn’t tell–she forced her eyes open again and realized

was gone.

can’t even be bothered to maintain the charade

her forehead. It was

she couldn’t wait any longer. She needed medical help.