Jenna’s POV
Felix’s smile faltered for a moment, surprise flashing across his face, but then it morphed back into a smirk. “Oh, but I can. You’re mine now, Jenna.” His grip tightened around my arm, and I felt a surge of panic rise within me.
As he began to pull me toward the exit, I glanced back at Aiden, desperate for a sign that he would fight for me. But to my dismay, he stood frozen, his expression a mix of shock and resignation. It was as if the thrill of the game had siphoned away his will to resist. Did he truly care more about his gambling than about me?
“Let go of me!” I yelled, struggling to free my arm from Felix’s iron grip. But he only chuckled, enjoying my resistance like it was a game to him. I could feel the stares of the other patrons on us, their eyes filled with curiosity, as if we were the centerpiece of a twisted show.
Felix leaned down, his breath warm against my ear. “You’re not getting away that easily, Jenna. Aiden bet you, and I’m here to collect my prize. You’re going to see just how fun life can be with someone who knows how to win.”
“Fun?” I spat, my voice dripping with anger. “You think this is fun? You’re treating me like I’m some kind of trophy. I’m not a prize to be won, Felix!”
His smirk only widened, and it infuriated me further. “You’re right. You’re not just a prize. You’re an opportunity,” he replied, his tone almost condescending. “And I don’t intend to waste it.”
As we stepped outside the casino, the bright lights of the strip hit me like a jolt of electricity. The night was alive with sounds and colors, but I felt suffocated, trapped in a situation I never wanted. I continued to wrestle against Felix’s hold, but he only tightened his grip, clearly enjoying my struggles.
“Please, just let me go,” I pleaded, desperation lacing my words. “I don’t want this!”
But Felix merely laughed, a cold, mocking sound. “Oh, Jenna, you’ll come to appreciate this. You’ll see how much more exciting life can be without Aiden holding you back.”
The realization that Aiden wasn’t coming after me settled in my chest like a stone. How could he let this happen? A wave of betrayal washed over me, mixing with the anger and fear I felt.
Just as we reached Felix’s car, I turned to look back at the casino one last time, hoping to see Aiden charging after us, but there was nothing. No sign of him. It was like he had given up on me, and the thought twisted my heart painfully.
“Stop it!” I shouted at Felix, my voice cracking. “You’re making a mistake. Aiden isn’t a loser; he just—he just needs help!”
Felix rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. “And what help could he possibly give you? A life full of losses? No, Jenna. I’m the one who can give you what you truly want. Freedom. Excitement. A taste of what it’s like to live on the edge.”
He opened the car door and shoved me inside. I stumbled, and before I could think, I turned to face him. “You think I want that?” I shot back, trying to mask my fear with anger. “I want to be with someone who cares about me, not someone who uses me as a pawn in their game!”
Felix leaned closer; his eyes gleaming with amusement. “That’s exactly what you’re going to learn, Jenna. You’ll understand that life is a game, and I’m the one who plays to win.”
As he slid into the driver’s seat, I felt a wave of despair crash over me. I was trapped in this car with someone who saw me as nothing more than a conquest. I had to think of a way out of this, a way to reclaim my freedom before it was too late.
“Felix, listen,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I know you think this is fun, but you don’t have to do this. Let me go, and I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
He laughed, a rich, deep sound that echoed in the confines of the car. “Oh, Jenna, you really don’t get it, do you? You’re mine now, and I don’t plan on letting you go. Not until I’m finished with you.”
I swallowed hard, the reality of my situation setting in. There was no escape, not while Felix was in control. But deep down, a spark of defiance ignited within me. I would not let him break me. I would find a way to fight back.
As the car pulled away from the casino, I stared out the window, determination rising within me. I would not become Felix’s prize. I would reclaim my life and my choices, no matter what it took.
While he was driving to his house where he was going to take me because I was his, I was silent, looking at the road. The city lights blurred past us, a dizzying array of colors and shapes that felt more like a prison than a pathway to freedom. I was lost in my thoughts, grappling with the reality of my situation, when Felix broke the silence.
"You know what? Aiden loses a lot of games already?” he started, turning his gaze from the road to me, a twisted smile tugging at his lips.
I forced myself to meet his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. “What do you mean?” I asked, trying to sound indifferent but failing miserably. My mind raced with the possibilities of what he might say next.
He chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I’ve seen him at the tables more times than I can count. He’s reckless, you know? Always pushing his luck, thinking he can turn it all around. But it never works out, does it?”
“Why do you care?” I shot back, unable to suppress the anger bubbling within me. “You’re just using him as an excuse to make yourself feel better about winning me.”
Felix's expression hardened for a moment before he laughed again, a sharp, mirthless sound. “You’re smart, Jenna. I’ll give you that. But you don’t understand how this game works. Aiden thought he could play big, and now he’s lost you. It’s all part of the thrill.”
“Thrill?” I echoed incredulously. “This isn’t a game for me, Felix. I’m not some pawn you can just move around. I have feelings. I have a life.”
He shrugged, unfazed. “And what life is that? One where you’re stuck supporting a gambler? Aiden doesn’t care about you the way you think he does. He’s too consumed by his losses to even realize what he’s putting on the line.”
The words stung, more than I wanted to admit. I could feel my defenses cracking, my emotions swirling inside me like a storm. “You don’t know anything about him!” I snapped, my voice rising in anger. “You don’t know anything about our relationship.”
Felix smirked again, this time with a hint of arrogance. “I know enough. I know that he lost you without a second thought. And now, you’re with me. Whether you like it or not.”
I glared at him, frustration boiling over. “You think you’ve won something special? You’re mistaken. I’m not here willingly.”
His smile faded slightly, but he quickly masked it with that same smug expression. “Willing or not, you’re here now, Jenna. And I intend to make the most of it.”
We continued driving in silence, the tension thick in the air. I couldn’t shake off the feeling of impending doom. The reality of my situation was settling in like a heavy weight on my chest. How had it come to this? Aiden, my boyfriend, had gambled me away, and now I was stuck with someone like Felix, who saw me as nothing more than a trophy.
As we approached a lavish house, I swallowed hard. The exterior was impressive, but I couldn’t shake the sense of dread curling in my stomach. This was the place where I’d be trapped if I didn’t find a way out.
Felix parked the car and turned to me, his expression softening slightly. “Welcome to my home, Jenna,” he said, his tone almost patronizing. “Make yourself comfortable. You’ll be living here for a while.”
I opened the car door, determined not to show my fear. “I’m not staying here,” I declared, stepping out and taking a deep breath. “I’m going to find a way back to Aiden.”
Felix laughed, the sound echoing in the night air. “Aiden? He’s the last person you should want to return to. Trust me, once you see what I have to offer, you won’t want to go back.”
I shot him a defiant look, my heart racing. “You’re wrong. I know Aiden. He’s better than this. You don’t understand what love is.”
“Love?” Felix echoed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “This is a game, Jenna. And in this game, love is just another distraction. You’ll learn that soon enough.”
As I followed him into the house, I could feel the walls closing in around me. I needed a plan, a way to escape this twisted reality before it consumed me entirely. I refused to let Felix dictate my life or allow Aiden’s choices to define my worth.
Determination coursed through me as I stepped inside, reminding myself that I would not be a pawn in anyone's game. I would find a way to reclaim my life and prove that I was more than just a bet.