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

Chapter 6

Dr. Cullen visibly wilted under Luigi’s scorching glare, stammering an incoherent apology before practically fleeing the room.

Luigi stalked to Ariana’s bedside, his face twisted with harely contained rage: “When some random guy hits on you like that, you’re supposed to tell him you have a boyfriend. Is that so fucking hard? Or were you enjoying the attention?”

Ariana stared at him, finding his reaction darkly comical.

Just hours ago he’d sworn to his friends he’d never have feelings for her “in this lifetime,” yet here he was, bristling with jealousy like she was his prized possession. The hypocrisy was breathtaking.

When had he ever cared before? All those times she’d desperately wanted his attention, he’d been cold and distant. Now that she no longer cared, suddenly he was staking his claim? Too little, too late.

A few days after her discharge, Luigi unexpectedly suggested they attend a college reunion at The Box.

She knew he typically avoided such events, dismissing them as “pathetic nostalgia fests for people who peaked in college.” His sudden interest was transparent–this wasn’t about reconnecting with old classmates.

Sure enough, the moment they arrived, Ariana spotted Leila Brown across the room.

There she was–Miss Perfect herself. Designer dress, effortless beauty, commanding the attention of everyone around her without even trying. The woman Ariana had spent years unknowingly competing against, and losing to, all along.

On the surface, Luigi maintained a cool distance from Leila, acting as if they barely knew each other.

But Ariana recognized that look in his eyes now–the same one she’d given him for years. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, his gaze followed Leila across the room, lingering a moment too long whenever she laughed or spoke. Love was impossible to disguise, especially when it was real.

Halfway through the evening, Ariana excused herself to use the restroom.

When she returned, the gathering had devolved into a drunken game of Truth or Dare, with her former classmates sprawled across couches, drinks in hand.

Leila had just lost a round and was being pressured to answer what appeared to be an embarrassing question.

when suddenly Luigi stepped forward,

17:21

Black Swan’s Final Revenge Pirouette: The 99th Gjak

her,” he announced, voice cutting through the

exaggerated flair: “Who’s your ultimate sexual fantasy? Not a celebrity–someone you

wolf

Blake shouted, grinning. “But easy for you,

fantasize about Ariana!” Josh called out, winking at her

spoke clearly, not

disappear from Ariana’s lungs, her fingers

L..B. Leila Brown.

him announce it publicly, with her standing right there, felt like being stabbed.

bear another second of this farce. Without a word, she turned and

Luigi: “Not feeling

hand to call an Uber, when footsteps pounded behind

⠀⠀ “Ariana! Wait!”

to see Luigi jogging toward her,

you leave?” she asked,

brow furrowed with what looked remarkably like genuine worry: “You said you weren’t feeling well. What’s

real–was it possible he actually cared? But then the memory of him sitting in that hospital room saying he’d never

shook her head, keeping her voice level: “I’m fine, just a headache. Shouldn’t you be back inside? With everyone?

m

was the most obvious thing in the world. “If you’re sick and leaving, why the hell would I stay?” He reached out, pressing his palm against her forehead to check for

gesture was so tender it hurt. How many times had she dreamed of him caring for her like this? And