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.

she hesitated, when suddenly Luigi stepped forward, snatching

17:21

Swan’s Final Revenge

for her,” he announced, voice cutting through the noise

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

group erupted in wolf whistles and catcalls.

grinning. “But easy for you, right? It’s gotta

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

a moment, then spoke clearly, not looking in

from Ariana’s lungs,

L..B. Leila Brown.

him announce

of this farce. Without a word, she turned

“Not feeling well. Going

hand to call an Uber, when footsteps pounded behind

⠀⠀ “Ariana! Wait!”

surprised to see Luigi jogging toward

did you leave?” she asked, genuinely

“You said you weren’t feeling well. What’s wrong? Do you need to go to

moment, the concern in his eyes made her heart flutter traitorously. It looked so real–was it possible he actually cared? But then the memory of him sitting in that hospital

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

m

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

times had she dreamed of him caring for