Page 97 of Gamble with Me
“Valeria,” Chester called out for me, standing up. His face lit up as if he were happy to see me, but I knew better.
He didn’t expect me to be here. Maybe the beating should’ve kept me at home to avoid a jealousy episode. It made sense, knowing my husband had information about my affair.
Plastering the fake smile on my face, I grasped a strong drink and approached him. He curled his arm around my waist possessively and moved to kiss me, but I turned my head to the side. His lips landed on my cheek, which he had marked with a belt the other day.
My chest tightened, and I had difficulty keeping a happy expression. I was a good actress, but this was revolting. Chester’s touch caused bile to rise in my throat. I had to forcefully gulp the saliva that gathered in my mouth instead of spitting on him.
My body involuntarily shivered, and I had to quickly escape his proprietorial embrace because I barely controlled myself.
With Zyon close by, I had the courage to stand up to my husband and shout everything I felt toward him in his repulsive face. But it wouldn’t help anything. I had to play my part as a submissive accessory, and maybe I would be lucky to uncover Chester’s agenda.
“Stand behind me, doll,” Chester commanded quietly, rubbing his hand on my back. “I’m sure your presence will bring me luck.”
“As you wish.” I smiled, casting him my best fake smile.
I drank a glass of vodka and cranberry juice in one gulp before standing behind him. The alcohol burned my mouth and throat, but it didn’t ease the feeling of humiliation. He wanted me to stand in the same place his mistress had just left.
It was a disgrace. I was so embarrassed I only stared at the top of Chester’s head and sometimes checked his cards. I avoided meeting Zyon’s or Alice’s gaze I felt on my face. I smiled happily when Chester won and frowned when he lost. I was like a programmed robot that ignored everyone and everything and hoped this mortification would end soon.
I stood behind my husband for an hour and a half, cheering on his success. My feet hurt from high heels, and I felt tingling in my toes. I only shifted weight from one leg to another to ease the pressure.
The entire time, the smiling waitress supplied me with alcohol. My glass seemed to be bottomless, but after a nasty head spin when I had to grasp Chester’s chair, I stopped drinking. My empty stomach couldn’t take more, and when my vision slightly blurred, I asked for water. The last thing my poor reputation as the victim of his infidelity needed was to end up on the floor, drunk.
“Let’s make a ten-minute break,” Zyon suggested, but it sounded more like a command. I lifted my eyes and met his look for the first time, but he quickly directed his attention elsewhere. “I have to go cut the cake.”
The players left their places and moved to the main hall, where the party was in full swing. In a few seconds, the VIP saloon was empty, and I intended to find Alice and talk to her, but Chester halted my movements. He appeared out of nowhere before me, roughly grabbing my arm.
“What the fuck are you doing here dressed like a prostitute?” he hissed, tugging me to the side so the waitress couldn’t hear us.
“What the fuck areyoudoing here with one million dollars and another woman by your side?” I shouted, yanking my arm from his hold.
Chester’s face contorted with anger, and he stepped dangerously close to me.
“I thought I made myself clear yesterday.” His devious whisper echoed in my ears like a deadly curse. “Do you need another lesson to remind you of your place?”
I fisted my palm, barely stopping myself from punching him straight in the middle of his disgusting face. My vision blurred from the high blood pressure from the fury that consumed my body. He had no right to threaten me. I wouldn’t let him stomp on my dignity anymore. We were done.
“You’ll be reminded of your place soon enough,” I spat, pushing him off when he grasped my arms and shook me.
“What is going on here?”
I seized the opportunity when Alice emerged to slip from Chester’s bruising hold. She took my hand and pulled me away from him, looking like she wanted to murder him on the spot.
“Howdareyou touch her?” she seethed, standing between me and him. “You fucking bastard. Hit her again, and I’ll kill you.”
“Stay out of my marriage, Alice,” Chester warned, raising his trembling index finger at her. “Or you might get hurt.”
“Are you threatening me, you fucker?” she yelled, lifting her chin as if she were challenging him.
“I’m warming you. Stay away from us,” Chester repeated, shooting me a murderous glare. “You’ll stand behind me when the game starts,” he commanded and turned on his heels, leaving me with Alice in the corner of the room.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, releasing a shaky breath. My hands and knees trembled, and tears of helplessness welled in my eyes.
“Always, Valeria.” Alice pulled me into a hug, stroking my back slowly. “You understand you can’t return home after tonight, right?” she whispered, brushing my hair. “He would kill you.”
“I know,” I confirmed, tilting my head back and staring at the high ceiling. My teeth sank into my bottom lip to stop me from crying, yet the tears burned in my eyes like hot coal.
“I have to call Lisa and ensure she won’t give him Zara. Or better,” I mused, forcing my tired, tipsy brain to devise another option. “I’ll talk to Zyon and take her without setting foot into Chester’s apartment again.”
