High Stakes Betrayal, A Winning Hand

minique, in Vegas. Tonight. Just hours before

ing it a "drunken mistake." Dominique, clinging to

er game to "celebrate," a cruel jok

ed me to give up my grandmother's bracelet when I lost a ha

t a game, that the br

in the underground poker scene. They thoug

to lose everyt

pte

gale

next week, not next month. Tonight. Hours before

t a metaphor, but a real punch to my gut,

unken mistake," Holden said, his v

is tailored suit. Dominique, his "best friend," was beside him.

k that didn't reach her eyes. She lifted her hand

e out. My voice felt like sand

t sliced through the hushed ballroom. Gues

e purred. She squeezed Holden's arm. "I

didn't look at me. H

crystal chandeliers a

could feel the heat in my cheeks. "We had an en

es. "It' s not like it'

eyes wide and innocent.

eyes were cold, distant. "She's

sive gesture. As if my feelin

lt like it was shrinking. The a

in. This time, it was

oom. Her voice was too loud. "A quickie marri

nce was deafening, except for the

n me. "Let's make it more interesting.

Now? My heart hamm

were glinting. She wasn't

bly. They avoided my gaze. Th

bones. This wasn't about a game

r. About them. Ab

my mind. A plan. A flicker of somet

d. My voice was su

apped toward me.

s," he said. His tone was sh

arm. His fingers

ouch felt like a

idn't know I possessed. "Especially when the stakes are this hi

hung in the air,

ot my wife, Abigale! It was a dr

t the words out. H

he'd ever crossed with Dominique. Every late night, every forg

ny cuts that had slowly bled me dry. The times he' d dismissed my feel

g, laughed at her jokes a little too loud,

m over his shoulder, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. She looked

nst Holden, her head on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I really a

It was nearly empty.

," she added, taking a big, th

k at me. A flicker of somethin

said, his voice softer now. Pleading.

g to make me understan

r acting out, his protecting her, me be

ipping with false sweetness. "No har

d uncomfortable, his gaze compassionate. He offered a

ulled Dominique closer

orcing a smile. "Let's not dwell on trivialities. I

uckles rippled t

forward. "Alright, Dom, what are th

he loved being the

out. Last one standing wins the pot!" She paused, her eyes narrowing on me. "And for Abigale," she added, a cruel twist to her mouth, "since

gain. That wasn't just play

pered, "That

Dominique, maybe

e pouted. She pinched his cheek. "It's all in good

me, her gaze

med. My voice was

y approached the table, intr

ewelry, placed a diamond necklace on t

she announced wi

n the keys to his vintage sports c

de, nestled on satin, was the antique pocket watch I had given him on our first anniversary.

my eyes. He placed it next to the

Holden' s ear. "Oh, darling, you

hain, with tiny, intricate charms, each representing a milestone in my

d. I felt a cold

ingers tracing the familiar cool

breath. My res

lear and steady. I unclasped the bra

pocket watch. It lay there, shimmering under the ballr