After 100 Twisted Games Goodbye Ex-Husband Chapter 08
The Last Game
The madness in my eyes made Julian freeze.
He ran his tongue over his cheek.
His eyes darkened. He grabbed my wrist.
“Have I been too lenient with you lately?”
But then his phone rang. His expression changed. “Bella, I’m on my way. Don’t be scared.”
“Bella’s stomach hurts. I need to go. And I canceled the lease on your new apartment. Stay here and behave.”
He left without looking back.
I stared after him. Frozen.
Then I made a call. My voice shaking.
“Before you come get me, I need you to help me stage something.”
“Make it believable. I need him to think I’m dead.”
—
I hung up. A message popped up on my phone.
Bella, curled up in Julian’s arms, her fingers tracing circles on his chest.
“Hazel, see? Even when you’re hurt by a snake, one word from me and Julian leaves you behind.”
“He doesn’t love you. Even after you almost died for him, he only loves me. You’re pathetic.”
I gripped my phone so hard it hurt. Tears blurred the screen.
—
Hospital security guards blocked the exits. I had nowhere to go. I stayed in the bed.
Every time I closed my eyes, I had nightmares.
I dreamed of the ninety-nine brutal games. Julian’s cold gaze. Nana dying in a hospital bed. The baby I never got to meet.
—
A day later, Julian came back with Bella.
“Hazel, are you okay?” Bella’s voice was fake-sweet. “Julian really cares about you. Even though you’re like this, he still wants me to compete with you fairly one more time.”
“If you don’t play, it means you don’t really love Julian. That you don’t want him at all…”
This time, I turned. Looked straight at them.
“Fine. I’ll play.”
Julian’s eyes lit up for a split second.
Bella froze. Hadn’t expected me to agree so easily. Hatred flickered in her gaze, but her voice stayed soft.
“I’m happy to compete fairly. But this time, I get to decide the rules.”
Julian stroked her head affectionately. “Of course. You won last time.”
Bella’s smile turned vicious when Julian wasn’t looking.
“Last time we played Russian roulette, you lost. You must’ve been so frustrated.”
“So this time, let’s play with a gun again. How about it?”
My expression stayed eerily calm. I nodded. “Fine.”
“Then it’s settled.” Bella’s eyes gleamed with calculation. “Julian, let’s go prepare. We shouldn’t disturb Hazel while she rests.”
Julian felt a flicker of unease he couldn’t explain. But Bella pulled him away before he could think about it.
—
The next night, we were brought to a cliffside.
A table. Two chairs.
A black handgun sat in the center. The barrel gleamed cold in the moonlight.
Bella and I took our seats on opposite sides.
Julian’s Bentley pulled up. He stepped out slowly.
Sat in a luxurious throne-like chair.
A bodyguard held champagne beside him.
“When the game ends,” he said softly, his gaze drifting between Bella and me, “I’ll announce on the spot that I’m marrying the winner.”
“Now. Begin.”
