Chapter 3

Claire's voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the cabin heard it clearly.

"Earlier Vincent said he wanted to get to know Mara, so I pick Mara to kiss Vincent."

She extended her finger and pointed lightly at an unfamiliar man sitting in the corner.

He was a known player in our circle

who'd hit on me plenty of times before,

but out of respect for Preston, never dared to be too obvious about it.

I snapped my head up, instinctively looking at Preston.

His face was red with anger, but he didn't say a word.

The cabin went dead silent.

Even Vincent looked totally confused.

Kyle frantically tried to signal Claire with his eyes.

"Haha, the drinks are hitting hard tonight."

But Claire ignored him, just smiling mockingly.

"What's wrong? This is how we always play. You're usually such a goody-goody. You're engaged now—what can't you handle?"

The atmosphere froze again,

until Preston spoke up.

"Rules are rules. Mara, a bet's a bet."

That casual comment was like a poisoned dagger, piercing straight through my heart.

So he could let Claire sit on his lap.

So he could watch coldly as I took off my clothes one by one.

So he could now, with his own words, push me into another man's arms to endure this humiliation.

A wave of absurdity and icy cold washed over me.

I looked at his handsome but cold face and suddenly found it completely unfamiliar.

I walked numbly toward Vincent,

like a puppet on strings.

Under everyone's eyes, I bent down and gave his oily cheek a quick peck.

The cabin was so quiet you could hear the waves hitting the hull.

I stood up, my eyes stinging with tears I couldn't hold back. "Is that enough?"

Claire paused, then smiled sweetly. "Of course."

Kyle quickly said, "Alright, Mara, you must be tired. Why don't you head to bed early?"

I took a deep breath,

but under everyone's gaze, I sat back down at the card table.

"No. I want to keep playing."

I stood there, my gaze moving past Preston and finally settling on Claire.

I never thought the lapdog I'd kept would have such ambition. Always so eager to please, so well-behaved and sensible.

Turns out the quiet ones are the ones you have to watch.

"That last round—Claire won as dealer and had the right to make someone do something, right?"

I spoke slowly. "So next, do you dare play a few big rounds with me? Just the two of us?"

Claire froze, then laughed like she'd heard something funny. "Mara, you want to play against me? Play what?"

"Texas Hold'em. But we can make the stakes even higher."

"You've always wanted that beauty spa I own, right? If you win, I'll sign it over to you."

I paused, looking at her, enunciating each word. "If you lose, you take off all your clothes. And... you leave this table. Get off Preston's lap. Now."

The cabin exploded.

Claire's face instantly soured. She looked to Preston for help.

Preston's brow furrowed deeply. He finally looked at me properly, his tone warning. "Mara, cut it out!"

Provoked by me, Claire immediately took the bait. "Fine! I'll bet with you! But just leaving the table is boring. If I lose, I won't go near Preston for the rest of the night—not within three feet. But if you lose, you transfer the spa immediately, and..."

"You personally pour my drinks and apologize."

"Deal." I agreed without hesitation.

Kyle tried to talk us down, but seeing how heated we were, he reluctantly dealt the cards.

Only Claire and I remained in this round.

Preston sat off to the side, scowling, not playing.

Three community cards were dealt. The board looked uneventful.

Claire looked at me with growing disdain. Her usual careful act was gone.

She acted like she already won, not taking me seriously at all.

After the fourth community card, she went all in.

"Mara, you gonna call or not? If not, admit defeat and start pouring!"

Preston spoke up too, with the last of his patience. "Mara—"

"I call."

I cut him off calmly, pushing all my chips forward.

Showdown.

Claire showed her cards—a pair of Kings, making three of a kind with the community cards.

A triumphant smile already spread across her face.

Kyle flipped my cards over, looking sorry for me.

"Mara, your Ace and Queen..."

"Just random cards..."