Jenna’s POV
As the dealer flipped over the first card, I felt my heart race, a mix of excitement and dread coursing through my veins. Aiden’s focus was laser-sharp, his brow furrowed in concentration, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. I knew him well—he hated to lose, and this time, the stakes were higher than ever.
I glanced over at Felix, who sat across the table with an easy confidence that contrasted sharply with Aiden’s intensity. There was something magnetic about him; his dark hair fell effortlessly over his forehead, and those piercing eyes seemed to see straight through me. He radiated an aura of power and charm, making it hard for anyone to look away.
But it was more than just looks. Felix had an air of determination, a hunger for victory that was palpable. He was in his element, thriving in the thrill of the gamble. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was enjoying this too much, relishing the competition. And the thought made my stomach churn.
Aiden caught a glimpse of my worried expression and shot me a reassuring smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ve got this, Jenna,” he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear over the noise of the casino. “Trust me.”
I nodded, but the knot in my stomach tightened. I trusted him, but this was different. A bet on me? It felt surreal, like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. What if he lost? I didn’t want to belong to anyone, especially not someone like Felix.
The dealer dealt the second card, and Aiden leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he assessed his hand. I could see the muscles in his jaw twitching, a sign of the pressure he was under. He had always been competitive, but this time it felt personal, as if losing would mean losing me as well.
Felix, on the other hand, exuded an effortless charm. He leaned back casually, a confident smile playing on his lips as he watched Aiden sweat. “You know, Aiden, sometimes you have to let go to win. Relax a little,” he teased, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
I could feel Aiden’s tension rise at Felix’s words. “I don’t need your advice, Felix,” he snapped, his voice clipped. “I just need to win.”
I wanted to intervene, to defuse the situation, but I was paralyzed, caught between my loyalty to Aiden and the uneasy attraction I felt toward Felix. I couldn’t deny that he was handsome, with an effortless style that drew people in. The way he moved, the way he spoke—it was all so captivating, and I hated myself for even noticing.
As the dealer revealed the next card, Aiden’s expression hardened. “That’s it? I can work with that,” he said, determination surging in his voice. I could see the fire in his eyes, the resolve to prove himself, but I also saw the flicker of desperation behind it.
As the hours dragged on, my heart sank deeper with each passing hand. Aiden was losing, and I could feel the weight of despair settling heavily in my chest. The thrill of the game had turned into a nightmare, each loss eroding his confidence and our future.
Felix sat across the table, his grin widening with every victory he claimed. The smug satisfaction on his face made my stomach churn. “Looks like you’re running out of luck, Aiden,” he teased, his voice dripping with condescension. “Maybe it’s time to accept the inevitable.”
With every chip that slid across the table, I felt more helpless. Aiden’s expression grew more strained, his once fierce determination fading into frustration and disbelief. I wanted to reach out to him, to offer some comfort, but the distance between us felt insurmountable.
“Come on, Aiden. You can do this!” I urged, but my voice was barely above a whisper, lost in the chaos of the casino.
He met my gaze for a brief moment, the flicker of hope in his eyes overshadowed by despair. “I just need one good hand,” he muttered, his focus returning to the table.
But as Felix’s laughter echoed around me, I could see the defeat creeping in. Aiden’s bravado was starting to crack, and it was killing me to watch. I wanted to scream, to tell him to walk away, but I knew he would never back down.
“Are you ready for the final round, Aiden?” Felix’s voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and mocking. He leaned back in his chair, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “If you lose this one, Jenna will be mine.”
My heart dropped at the thought, panic rising within me. I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t let Felix take me away from Aiden. But I also knew that Aiden was fighting against more than just Felix; he was battling his own demons, the weight of his gambling addiction hanging heavily over him.
“Let’s do this,” Aiden said, his voice steadier than I felt. He took a deep breath, and I could see him steeling himself for the final showdown. I could only hope that he had one last trick up his sleeve.
The dealer shuffled the cards, and the atmosphere around the table shifted. A palpable tension filled the air as we prepared for the last round. I held my breath, my heart racing as the first card was dealt.
Aiden glanced at his hand, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of determination return. “This is it. I can feel it,” he whispered, glancing up at me.
But just as quickly as it appeared, doubt crept back in. Felix’s confidence was unnerving, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he had some hidden advantage.
As the dealer revealed the final cards, I could see Aiden’s expression shift. The hope drained from his face, replaced by disbelief and defeat. “No… no way,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.
Felix burst into laughter, the sound echoing like a sinister victory. “Looks like you’ve lost, Aiden! Say goodbye to Jenna.” His smug grin was unbearable, and I felt a surge of anger rise within me.
“No! You can’t do this!” I cried, the words spilling out before I could stop them. I stepped forward, desperate to reach Aiden, to help him somehow. “Aiden, please! You can’t let him win!”
But Aiden’s shoulders slumped, the weight of defeat crashing down on him. “Jenna, I… I’m sorry,” he said, his voice breaking. I could see the pain in his eyes, and my heart shattered at the realization that he felt like he had failed me.
Felix leaned forward, savoring his victory. “Looks like it’s time to collect my prize,” he said, his voice dripping with triumph. “You’re officially mine, Jenna.”
I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as the reality sank in. “No, I won’t go with you!” I shouted, defiance surging within me. I turned to Aiden, my heart aching. “You can still fight this! We can figure something out!”
But Aiden’s gaze was distant, his spirit seemingly crushed. “It’s too late for me,” he whispered, the defeat in his voice cutting deeper than any blade. “I’m sorry, Jenna.”
Felix stood; his smirk unyielding as he extended his hand toward me. “Come on, Jenna. Let’s leave this place behind and start fresh.”
I hesitated, torn between the man I loved and the man who wanted to claim me. I couldn’t believe this was happening, that Aiden had put everything on the line and lost. The thought of leaving him felt like a betrayal, but the thought of being with Felix felt wrong, too.
“No!” I shouted, pulling back. “I won’t let you take me from him!”
Felix raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my defiance. “And what do you think you can do? You’re out of options, sweetheart. Aiden gambled you away, and he lost.”
Aiden’s silence was deafening, and I could feel the tears brimming in my eyes. “You didn’t lose me, Aiden,” I said, desperate to reassure him. “We can fight this together.”
But as Felix stepped closer, I felt the walls closing in. I was trapped in a game I never wanted to play, and the stakes were my heart.
The dealer cleared his throat, and I realized the room had grown silent, all eyes on us. The reality of the situation crashed over me like a wave, and I fought to regain control.
I looked between Felix and Aiden, my heart racing with the weight of the moment. I wouldn’t give up without a fight. I wouldn’t let them decide my fate.
“Enough!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the tension-filled air. “I refuse to be a pawn in your game, Felix. I choose my own path!”
The room held its breath, and for the first time that night, I felt a flicker of strength within me. I wouldn’t let either of them take away my agency. I would fight for my own choices, no matter the cost.