Chapter 25: The Price of Games
Ariana's heart pounded.
Leila wasn't just watching.
She was studying her.
Expression unreadable.
Jaw tight.
Hands curled into fists at her sides.
Ariana should have felt triumphant.
She had wanted Leila to see this.
But now, standing here with Ryan's hands on her waist, it didn't feel like a victory.
Ryan leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "You're tense."
Ariana forced a smirk. "Am I?"
Ryan chuckled, pulling her closer. "If you're trying to make someone jealous, it's working."
Ariana stiffened.
She hadn't told him that was the plan.
But Ryan was observant—more than she gave him credit for.
"Leila's staring at you like she wants to kill me."
Ariana swallowed. "Let her."
Ryan exhaled a laugh. "Dangerous game you're playing."
She knew that.
But she couldn't stop.
She turned back toward Leila—but she was gone.
Ariana's stomach twisted.
She had expected Leila to keep watching.
To glare. To fume.
To give her some sort of reaction.
But she had just… left.
And for some reason—that was worse.
Ariana pulled away from Ryan. "I need a drink."
Ryan didn't protest. "Go ahead."
She weaved through the crowd, ignoring the buzz of the party, the laughter, the music pounding through the walls.
Her eyes scanned the room.
Leila was nowhere.
Ariana exhaled sharply. Why did she care?
Leila walking away was what she had wanted.
Wasn't it?
Then why did it feel like she had lost something?
The thought irritated her.
Annoyed, she grabbed a drink from the counter—and nearly froze.
A familiar scent.
A familiar warmth.
A familiar presence standing just behind her.
Slowly—**very slowly—**she turned.
And found herself face to face with Leila.
Expression calm.
Eyes unreadable.
Voice soft, but firm.
"What exactly are you trying to prove, Ariana?"
Ariana's breath caught.
Because the way Leila was looking at her—like she already knew the answer.
Like she was daring Ariana to admit it.
Like she had already won.