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

Chapter 20

Staring at the man before her, his expression hovering between devotion and derangement, Ariana felt nothing but bitter irony

“You stand there claiming you love me,” she said, each word razor sharp, “but where was this love when Leila accused me? Where was it during those ninety eight humiliations? Where was it when you literally left me to burn alive?”

Her voice remained controlled despite the fury building beneath. “Don’t bother with excuses. I gave you a chance that night in the fire when I asked if you were coming back for me. I thought. If he turns around right now if he pulls me out–I could forgive everything Every single thing you did to me.”

She held his gaze unflinchingly. “But what did you choose, Luig

Her accusations were met with uncomfortable silence. The fire had happened so long ago that Luigi struggled to recall the specifics.

Yet one memory remained crystal clear–that critical moment when he’d hesitated at the door, then walked away without looking back.

“You left me in the flames without a second thought,” Ariana concluded quietly. “So explain to me why you think I’d stay with you now?”

She attempted to step around him, but this time Luigi’s reflexes were faster.

“Block the gates,” he instructed the security team, his voice unnervingly calm.

Ariana spun back toward him, genuine shock registering on her face. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

She had actually believed that some vestige of basic human decency might prevent him from physically forcing her to stay.

Luigi approached slowly, his fingers finally making contact with her cheek in a gentle caress that made

her skin crawl.

I made, I acknowledge them all,” he said softly, as though speaking to a frightened animal. “I’ve spent a year in hell without you. Why can’t we move

“No.”

from his touch as if burned, disgust and disappointment

Revenge Pinnuste: The

#lupter 20

life once. Are you really

attempt?”

met his directly. “Do I need to actually die before you

Luigi’s face, quickly hardening into unnerving

in this

found herself effectively held captive, albeit in the most opulent prison

legitimize her sudden reappearance to Boston society, Luigi orchestrated

a relationship dispute, needing space and time for perspective. After more than a year of

this performance, Ariana sat beside him on the stage,

chosen.

detachment as he delivered his romantic

word of this

considered grabbing the microphone and exposing everything–the calculated revenge plot, the deliberate attempt on

recognizing the futility. After a year’s absence, her credibility was microscopic compared to the Maggiore empire’s influence. The press would interpret any outburst as evidence of their

public displays of devotion. For the next month, she accompanied him everywhere, a silent accessory to his

rehabilitation.

with custom fireworks that cost more than most people’s. homes, illuminating the entire harbor in

casually outbid collectors for items she had once mentioned