gale

r about trivial possessions. It was about everything. My company, h

to look like I was barely holding on, clinging to hope by a thread. The alcohol, real or im

wave a hand at the dealer, even try to pull Dominique aside. Each tim

lose everything. He just wanted me to lose enough to put me in my place. Enough fo

th. He thinks I' m a damsel in distress. He always has. He d

carefully, watching Dominique' s tells. She was confident, almost arrogant. And I kne

r out of her

stared at the cards, then at me, her eyes narrowed. "Th

igned nonchalance. My heart was thum

ling with tension. Dominique was no longer laugh

clared, slamming her cards onto the table. "Let's do it. Al

is was it. The moment

rounds. It was full of something clear and strong. I looked at it, then at Dominique. I drained it in

my voice clear and steady. No mor

ked look on his face. "Dominique

ury, were fixed on me. "Simple. My entire business, my Hamptons property, my yacht, all the minor assets I've won t

hed, her eyes wild. She was comple

pause. Let them think I was

ssets," I said, my voice calm, unwa

ver with a crash. "Abigale, what are you doing?! H

gaze piercing. "Are

e everything for your little tech dreams." She turned to Holden, her voice suddenly soft, seductive. "Un

d between me and Dominique. The con

r voice sharp. "Now. Draw up a quick, bin

My fingers flew across the screen. "My legal team

s mouth agape. "You pla

. A cold, hum

lden said, his voice hard. "You'l

tiff. He sat down beside her, his hand findi

lt strangely whole. Empty, but whole. It was truly over. No go

d been on call for the event, quickly joined them. A flurry of legal jargon filled the air as they drafted a temporary, legally b

minique, and Holden remained. The dice, gleaming an

e final hand. "One roll. Highest number wins it

a fierce determination etched on her face. S

d settled. A pair of sixe

oom. Dominique shrieked with delight

exhilaration, grabbed the dice. He shook

d. They rolle

. Twelve. Anoth

nbelievable!" "Two t

, honey! We won! Everything's ours!" She looked at me, a cruel smirk

"Abigale," he said, his voice soft, almost pleading. "We can negotiate. You do

No anger, no sadness.

ooth in my palm. I gave them one simple, co

r of white against the green velv

hey se

ral scream. A shriek of p