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.

the room with runway precision, following

silhouettes–one leading, one following–disappeared around a corner,

Chapter 3

time to dwell on what they might be doing together, as Luigi’s friends

her.

case! Tyler’s voice boomed as he showed a glass of

her head firmly. I

fucking buzzkill,” Blake sneered. “What’s

laughed, exchanging knowing glances.

glass toward her lips. Tittle Mi Perfect probably gets wasted off one

step back, but Josh blocked her

she tried to break free, Tyler gave

“Ah-

lost her balance and fell straight into the adjacent infinity pool

water engulfed her

but her clothes quickly became

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, darkness

her eyes, she found herself back in the bedroom of Luigi’s apartment. Her head

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

said, his voice soft with what might

accepted the pills and swallowed

like she’d swallowed glass

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

Chapter 3

through her

hours, she couldn’t tell–she forced her eyes

was gone.

He can’t even be bothered to maintain the charade

her forehead. It was terrifyingly hot.

wait any longer.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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