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.

was already gliding across the room with runway precision, following directly

silhouettes–one leading, one following–disappeared around a corner, no doubt heading

Chapter 3

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

her.

it isn’t Luigi’s favorite charity case! Tyler’s voice boomed as he showed a glass of something amber

her head firmly. I don’t drink.”

“What’s wrong, afraid Daddy

exchanging

handle her liquor.” Derek added, pushing the glass toward her lips. Tittle Mi

tried to step back, but Josh blocked her path. “Either drink

break free, Tyler gave her a hard shove. “Oops,

“Ah-

as she lost her balance and fell straight into the

water engulfed

but her clothes

her down.

into her nose and mouth, burning her lungs. The club lights above the surface blurred and distorted as her consciousness began to fade,

Ariana next opened her eyes, she found herself back in the bedroom of Luigi’s apartment. Her head pounded with each heartbeat, and her body

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

voice soft with what might have seemed like concern–if she didn’t

and

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

closed her eyes, wanting to escape back into unconsciousness, but

Chapter 3

scorching through

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

was gone.

can’t even be

her forehead. It was terrifyingly hot.

couldn’t wait any