Page 87 of Hateful Games

“See, she’s fine.” She smirks as she says this to Bee.

Bee smiles but the underlying concern is still heavy in her gaze and she becomes somber. Ever the thoughtful one. The mother hen in our little sisterhood. “Seriously, Ro, you’ve been too quiet. Talk to us.”

“What is there to say?” I mutter and stare at my almost full plate. I’ve hardly touched my food. The pizza now cold and looking unappealing by the minute.

Iris pauses mid-bite and sets down her burger. “So, that’s it. You’re quitting.”

“What?” I demand, confused.

“I can’t believe Nova succeeded in snuffing out your fire.”

“He did not.” Scowling, I accuse, “Am I not allowed to grieve the future I could’ve had?”

“Of course you can,” says Bee, trying to diffuse the sudden tension.

At the same time, Iris counters, “Who says you still can’t?”

“How? Do you have another crazy-ass plan like you had for Bee?” I huff and cross my arms. “Because I’m all ears.”

“Ever heard of a divorce? An annulment?”

“Not without serious consequences.”

“Are those as terrible as being miserable for the rest of your life?”

“Or maybe you can give it a real chance?” cautiously suggests Bee. Betraying herself as a hopeless romantic. “I never thought Dash would be the one but look at us now, I can’t even imagine my life without him and I would do it all over again.”

Unconditional love drips from every syllable from her mouth to the happiness blooming on her entire face. Another person would envy her but she and I have seen each other through all the ups and down in our lives. Bianca knows me inside and out.

Last year was both the best and worst time of her life.

I saw her heal from the shell of a person she used to be, barely living, to a strong confident woman who learned to put herself and her happiness before others.

She’s also a woman madly in love, who’s forgetting not every girl is as lucky as her.

Some of us are not destined for heroes.

Only ruthless villains with devilish smiles.

“The difference is, Dash was always in love with you and got close to you to make you his, while Nova is hell-bent on hating me. I’m nothing but an obligation to him to appease his family. A ladder to climb his way to the top.”

Iris and Bianca offer matching heartbroken smiles.

Iris grabs my hand. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Ro, and I wish I had another insane plan but if there’s even a small chance or a tiny ray of light to get you out of this mess, don’t hesitate.”

“You’re a fucking badass, Ro,” says Bianca proudly. “Even Dash is scared of you.”

“I did leave those two snakes in the drawer of his home office,” I confess with a half-smile. I’m a woman of my word and I did tell him if he ever hurt Bianca, I would get my payback. Although, I did do it after they both moved back to the city.

“He says he didn’t scream but I swear I heard him.”

“How you even got your hands on two venomous snakes is beyond me,” hums Iris with a chuckle and awe.

“I know people,” I reply with a proud grin. Though, they weren’t actually poisonous. But I let them believe otherwise.

“Right there, that’s the spirit you need to have for your marriage,” Iris chirps excitedly. “Think of this as the ultimate battle between you and Nova. So, you better fucking win. By hook or by crook.”

Her pep talk renders me stunned.

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