CHAPTER 3 : THE EXES👻🔞

[Raven’s POV]

“Are you really sure about this?” I asked Leo for the tenth time since we finished packing.

Everything was set. Our bags were ready. Yet suddenly, I had cold feet—typical me.

“Raven, for the last time, we have to,” Leo snapped. “There’s no turning back now. Join me in the car if you want, but just know I’m not losing that prize money because of your fears.”

I rolled my eyes. “What are you going to do—clone me to join you for the games?”

He sighed and dropped my luggage. “Honestly, Raven, if I had the option, I would’ve chosen that.”

I brushed past him toward the car. Of course, I didn’t get in immediately. I stood by and waited for him to load our luggage and open the door for me. It was the least he could do after all that big talk.

“Let’s go,” he told the driver, and the car zoomed off.

The drive to the location was painfully long. I lost count of how many times I slept and woke up, only to find we were still on the same endless road, heading toward that damn place.

After what felt like twelve hours, we finally arrived.

The building was discreet and elegant, designed in white and gold.

“Great,” I muttered. “Any more red would’ve pissed me off.”

Leo rolled his eyes, mimicking my tone.

“We’re in public, silly,” I snapped.

“Tell that to yourself.”

Instantly, he switched personalities—the cool, loving husband. He took my hand and led me toward the entrance.

“Be cool. Smile. Wave nicely.”

“I don’t remember how to be a robot like you, Leo.”

He pinched my arm, and I winced. I hated him for real.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hart, welcome—”

“Owen?”

He appeared out of nowhere. A fellow gamer, though he was gay and never had any history of being in a relationship. Leo’s expression turned cold the moment their eyes met.

“Owen? What are you doing here?” Leo asked.

Owen smiled and linked his arm through mine. “What do you mean, what am I doing here? I was invited to be the host and judge, silly. You’ll be seeing me often.”

He winked at Leo.

Weird.

We entered the apartment, and oh my God—it was everything. Game-themed, vibrant, stylish. Each room had a different color and concept.

There was a gaming area with all sorts of games—chess, snooker, cards, you name it. There was even a pool, a whole resort, and a freaking masseuse room.

I loved it.

Leo, however, didn’t look impressed. He looked disconnected, as if life had been drained from him.

He grabbed my arm roughly. “We need to leave. Immediately.”

“What? Why? We just got here.”

“I don’t care. I’m no longer in this game. We’re leaving.”

I yanked my arm free. “No. I like it here. I’m staying. What’s with the sudden cold feet? You were the one preaching about not having one an hour ago.”

I walked past him and waved at a familiar face.

“Raven… oh my God,” Nuella squealed, twirling. “I can’t believe I’m in the same room with you. It’s such an honor.”

I smiled politely, even though I knew damn well Nuella had never liked me. She had sabotaged my games more times than I could count.

She was definitely Fiona’s twin—surprisingly, they never got along. I guess the saying was true: people with the same personality can never coexist peacefully.

Oh well.

Leo rushed over, instantly playing the perfect husband.

“Hey, baby, we need to talk. Excuse us,” he said warmly, gripping my arm and dragging me over to Owen.

“Hey, uh…” Leo started, suddenly shy. Was this the same man who had yelled at me earlier?

“Raven and I…” He didn’t say wife. Interesting. “We’d like to quit the game. Something came up, so we won’t be participating anymore.”

Owen giggled softly. “Oh dear. But why?”

“Yeah, Leo,” I added, turning to him. “Why?”

He didn’t look at me. His eyes stayed glued to Owen.

“Something urgent came up. We really have to go.”

“That’s fine,” Owen replied smoothly, inspecting his black-painted nails. “All you have to do is pay the withdrawal fine—one hundred thousand dollars.”

“What?!” Leo and I gasped.

“It’s only been a day!”

“Rules are rules,” Owen shrugged. “And you read the contract before signing, didn’t you?”

He studied our faces, then burst into light laughter.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t read everything.”

I turned sharply to Leo. “I thought you read it.”

“You distracted me with your bickering, remember?” he snapped.

I almost lost it.

“The rules can’t be bent for anyone,” Owen continued, his gaze trailing over Leo’s body. “Even past close pals.”

Then he brushed past us, hips swaying.

Damn. Whatever history they had, it was intense.

“Alright, everyone, gather around,” Owen clapped, drawing attention. “Welcome to the APHROXIS Game Show. As promised, I’ll be introducing the last set of players—”

My stomach dropped.

“The exes.”

My mouth fell open as several familiar faces walked in, dragging their luggage behind them.

Esme.

Leo’s ex.

I recognized her instantly. A darling but she and Owen had never gotten along.

I giggled softly.

Now I understood why Leo wanted out.

Then reality hit me.

Exes.

Zade and I dated publicly. Everyone knew about us.

Did that mean—

My eyes scanned the room frantically, searching every face.

“I’m serious, Raven,” Leo whispered, smiling for the cameras. “This is a bad idea. We need to leave.”

“Why now?” I whispered back, eyes still searching. “You forced me to come.”

“I know, but trust me—” He paused, noticing my panic. “What if Zade shows up?”

“Zade?” I blurted, spinning toward him too fast. “Where?”

I froze.

“I didn’t say he was here,” Leo said quickly. “I said, what if he shows up? Hold on—do you actually want him here?”

“No,” I replied immediately. “I’d hate that.”

“Then let’s get disqualified without paying the fine,” he suggested. “We’ll play along and sabotage ourselves.”

I barely heard him.

The last of the exes entered the room.

But Zade—

He was nowhere to be found.