Chapter Seven: The Games We Play
Ella’s POV
I watched Dorian closely, noting the flicker of jealousy and suspicion in his eyes. Seeing him like this, unsure and insecure, gave me a strange thrill. For so long, I had been the one in this position now, always wondering where he was, who he was with, what lies he was spinning. Now, for the first time, the tables had turned, and I was the one holding the cards.
I played it well. I didn’t answer his question directly. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning in close enough to catch the scent of his cologne. It was different, unfamiliar, not the one he used to wear. Even his clothes were new, something I hadn’t seen before. My mind was racing, piecing together the clues, but I kept my expression neutral, playing the part of the doting girlfriend.
“Did you change your cologne?” I asked casually, tilting my head as if genuinely curious. “I was thinking about getting you a new shirt today, but it looks like you’ve already treated yourself.”
For just a moment, Dorian’s composure slipped. His eyes darted away from mine, and I could see the wheels turning in his head as he scrambled for an explanation. “Yeah,” he said after a beat, his voice too smooth, too practiced. “My old clothes got dirty on the trip, so I just picked something up at the mall. No big deal.”
I nodded, pretending to accept his answer, but inside, a cold reality
0.00%
was settling in
was lying, but I wasn’t about to confront him–at least, not yet. Instead, I smiled up at him, acting as if everything was perfootly normal.
Dorian soomed to relax, relieved that I wasn’t pushing the issue. He leaned in and kissed me lightly on the corner of my mouth, the gesture meant to be reassuring, but it only made my skin crawl. “Keith was drunk today,” he said, his voice laced with annoyance. “You should be careful around him. He’s always surrounded by women, and you don’t need to get mixed up in that.”
The hypocrisy in his words was almost laughable, but I forced myself to keep a straight face. “I know,” I said softly. “I just wanted to grab something to eat at that Spanish restaurant, and Keith happened to be there too. It was just a coincidence.”
He nodded, apparently satisfied with my explanation. He didn’t question me any further, though he made a point of warning me again about Keith’s reputation. It was all so absurd–Dorian playing the concerned boyfriend, trying to protect me from the very behavior he himself was guilty of
When Dorian moved closer, clearly wanting to get intimate, I almost puked. I couldn’t stand the thought of him touching me, not after everything he had done. But I knew better than to push him away too obviously, so I forced a smile and gently suggested, “Why don’t you take a shower first? I’m feeling a bit tired.”
As he turned to head to the bathroom, his eyes landed on the small moon tattoo on the back of my neck. I knew he would notice it
Chapter Seven The Games Vis Pay
eventually, and I had already prepared my answer. “When did you get that?” he asked, sounding serious
I shrugged, keeping my tone light. “Naney and I went to the tattoo parlor. I wanted something small and meaningful. Do you like it?”
He looked at me for a long moment, and I wondered if he would say something more, if he had figured out the real reason behind the tattoo. But he just nodded and turned to go shower. “Yeah, it looks nice,”
I let out a long, shaky breath and collapsed onto the bed. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, replaying everything that had happened today, everything that had brought us to this moment. The fight with Keith, the appearance of Riley, and now, this–Dorian’s lies stacking up on top of each other, one after another.
I didn’t even realize I was crying until I felt the tears slip down my cheeks, I brushed them away angrily, refusing to let myself break down. Not now. Not yet,
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I grabbed it without thinking It was a message from Keith.
Keith: Ella, are you okay? How’s your head? I’m sorry about today. I shouldn’t have let things get so out of hand.
I stared at the screen, emotional. Keith had meant well, but he was just another complication in an already tangled mess. I didn’t need him to feel sorry for me, I didn’t need anyone’s pity,
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Chapter Seven The Games we Ray
My gaze shifted to the mirror across the room, where I could see the faint bruise forming on my forehead from where I’d hit the table leg. Dorian hadn’t even noticed, hadn’t bothered to ask if I was okay. The realization cut deeper than any physical wound.
I typed out a quick response to Keith, my fingers flying over the keys.
Ella: We can’t see each other again. Focus on your girlfriend.
I hit send before I could second–guess myself, then watched as the three little dots appeared, signaling his reply.
Keith: Riley isn’t my girlfriend. I’m single, Ella.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Of course, he would say that. But it didn’t matter. Keith was just as much a part of this toxic cycle as Dorian. I didn’t want any part of it.
I deleted the message without responding and threw my phone across the bed. It wasn’t fair. None of it was fair. But life rarely was, and I had learned that the hard way.
Over the next few weeks, Dorian seemed eager to make up for his mistakes. He came home early from work every day, showering me with attention, cooking dinner, and bringing me flowers. It was everything I had once wished for, everything I had begged him for in the early days of our relationship
Chapter Seven. The Games We Play
But things went back to the way they were before.
As I was thinking of a way to finally end everything with Dorian, he cheated on me again.
Chapter Eight Sour Taste Of R
