Chapter 31: The Walls Are Cracking

Ariana stood there, staring at the door Leila had disappeared through.

Her skin was still tingling.

Her heart was still racing.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

She was always the one in control—the one who dictated the game, who decided when to push and when to pull back.

But with Leila…

She felt like she was standing on the edge of something dangerous, something she couldn't afford to fall into.

Ariana exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair.

Get it together.

The party was still in full swing inside. Laughter, clinking glasses, music—none of it matched the storm brewing inside her.

She needed a distraction.

Something—**someone—**to remind her who she was.

Her eyes scanned the room the moment she stepped back inside.

Ryan.

Tall. Charming. Safe.

He was exactly what she needed right now.

Ariana smirked, slipping through the crowd toward him. "You're awfully lonely, Ryan."

He turned, surprised at first, then grinning. "You saying that because you missed me?"

Ariana laughed, tilting her head. "Maybe."

Ryan chuckled. "Careful, Ari. You might make me believe you."

She leaned in, trailing a finger along his collar. "Maybe I want you to."

She felt the shift immediately—his breath hitching, his posture straightening.

Good.

This was familiar. This was easy.

But then—

She felt it.

A gaze.

Burning. Watching.

Ariana knew before she even turned who it was.

Leila.

Standing across the room, unreadable, her eyes locked onto Ariana's hand on Ryan's chest.

Ariana's fingers twitched.

Ryan said something, but she didn't hear it.

Because suddenly, the game wasn't so easy anymore.

Because suddenly, she wasn't sure who she was trying to convince.

Ryan?

Leila?

Or herself?