Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

“What’s the issue now, Lucas?” Tyler’s voice dripped with irritation. “I thought you were dying to wrap this shit up. We swear she won’t actually die! We’ll open the doors right before she starts, like, convulsing or whatever.”

Lucas’s voice remained granite–hard: “It’s too fucking risky. Nothing happens to her. Find another way.”

“Are you serious right now?” Blake jumped in, openly hostile. “You ghosted Leila tonight to chase after that nobody! She’s been crying her eyes out all evening–took you fifty texts to calm her down. You promised we’d plan the grand finale tonight to prove you’re still team Leila. Now suddenly you’re getting cold feet? Have you forgotten who actually matters here? Dump the loner wolf already and get back to the girl your wolf has been howling for since kindergarten.”

Lucas’s breathing quickened audibly, like he was about to launch into an argument, when a delicate voice cut through the call:

“Lucas.” Leila’s soft, hurt tone immediately silenced everyone. “I heard what you guys were discussing. So I’ll just ask you directly–I need this to be the final punishment for what she did to me. Are you with me… or with her?”

The silence that followed was deafening.

“You promised you’d do anything for me,” Leila’s voice trembled with perfectly calibrated vulnerability. “I thought I was the one who mattered to you.”

After a lengthy pause, he finally answered, his voice rough with resignation: “Fine. Whatever you want, Leila.”

Her tone instantly brightened. “That’s my Lucas.”

The guys whooped in the background: “Epic finale, here we come!”

“Just make absolute sure nothing actually happens to her,” Lucas insisted once more, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Aria stood frozen in the shadows, her entire body going numb as the truth crystallized with devastating clarity. No matter what conflicted feelings he might have, when pushed to choose, he would always choose Leila.

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Chapter 7

She slipped back to the bedroom, picked up her phone, and sent the final message she’d been waiting to send.

On their anniversary, Lucas executed the plan flawlessly. “I’ve got a surprise for you today,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically warm. “Close your eyes and let me take you somewhere special.”

Aria studied his face for a long moment–memorizing each feature, each line–then closed her eyes

without protest.

Lucas’s lips curved into a slight smile as he secured a silk blindfold over her eyes and guided her

carefully to his car.

After they arrived, he helped her navigate into the abandoned cabin, his hand firm against the small of her back. “Wait here for a minute,” he whispered close to her ear. “I need to get your gift ready. I’ll be right back.”

Aria stood perfectly still, listening as his footsteps retreated toward the door.

Just as the hinges creaked, she called out to him.

“Lucas.”

His footsteps halted.

“I really did love you, you know?” Her voice was steady, devoid of accusation or bitterness–just stating a simple truth.

Silence hung between them as she continued.

“I loved you for so long that I don’t remember what it felt like not to. When you finally accepted me, I thought the Moon Goddess had finally aligned in my favor. That night, I stayed awake until sunrise, alternating between crying and laughing because I couldn’t contain the happiness. Pretty stupid, right?”

He remained silent, but she could hear his breathing change.

“Today marks three years,” she said softly. “It’s the first time you’ve ever planned something special for me. Despite everything I know now, some small part of me was still looking forward to it.”

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Billionaire Aluha’s 99 Deadly Games

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Chapter 7

The quiet stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words.

“I’ll be right back,” he finally said, his voice rough around the edges. “Wait for me.”