Everyone in the elite circles knew—Julian loved playing twisted games. Every time he collected ten women, there had to be an elimination round. The ones who survived moved to the next level. Whoever won all one hundred rounds would become his wife. I had made it to round ninety-nine. I was ruthless enough. I'd played every single one of his games without making a sound. Julian's gaze grew more appreciative each time. He even brought me into his world, making everyone call me "ma'am." Just when I was about to become the victor, I saw something. Julian had Bella cornered outside the private room door. He was kissing her like his life depended on it. "The fifth bullet," he whispered against her lips. "That's the real one." "Got it," Bella breathed. --- My heart clenched so hard I couldn't breathe. But before I could process it, the game started. I watched Bella get the rigged turn order—second to shoot. If I kept playing, I would lose. I took a deep breath. Met Julian's calm, empty eyes. "Hazel." He swirled his wine glass. "Still want to play? You know I always make sure you win." The room erupted in knowing laughter. His friends whistled. Their eyes darted between him and me. "Julian's still got a soft spot for his girl. This round's a done deal." "New girl's got guts challenging her. Doesn't she know who Julian loves?" "Just quit now. Save yourself the embarrassment." Bella sat across from us. Her body trembled. But she spoke up, stubborn. "I won't quit. I want to play." Julian's eyes flashed with intrigue. "Interesting." He smiled lazily at me. "Let's make this quick, then. I'm looking forward to using the new sex toys with you tonight." Pathetic. He'd already rigged it for Bella. And he still put on this act like he cared about me. My heart felt submerged in ice water. Numb. I looked up. Met his gaze. "Let's begin." I wanted to see if this man—who kept saying he'd let me win—would really watch me take the fall. --- The game started. I drew first. Picked up the revolver. Pressed it to my chest. Pulled the trigger. Click. Empty. The room exhaled in relief. Some people even laughed. Bets were placed. Julian's eyes gleamed. He chuckled softly. "Hazel, don't worry. I'm always betting on you." Bella went next. Her hands shook with fear, but she pulled the trigger without hesitation. Click. Empty. Third turn. Me again. Empty. But my heart raced faster. Because Julian said the fifth bullet was real. My whole body trembled. My eyes stung. My vision blurred. The first-turn card—Julian had arranged that too. He *wanted* me to lose. Bella fired the fourth shot. She knew it was safe, but she still whimpered like she was scared. The crowd laughed. "Just quit already. Kneel and apologize. Julian and his girl will let you go." "Kid, this gun might not be real, but it still hurts like hell." Bella didn't back down. She pushed the gun toward me. My heart climbed into my throat. I stared at Julian. Waiting for him to stop this. But he just watched. A faint smile on his lips. No intention of stopping the rigged game. Time dragged on. Julian frowned. "Hazel, don't be scared. You'll be the winner. You always are." My mouth twisted into a bitter smile. My hand shook as I raised the gun to my chest. Bang! The bullet slammed into me. It was rubber—non-lethal. But it still hurt so much I couldn't breathe. Bella screamed. "I'm sorry! I didn't know it would be like this!" Everyone stared at Julian. Faces pale. By the rules, whoever got shot lost. The winner would become Julian's bride. "Julian, this is—" Julian stood slowly. Looked down at Bella. His voice was ice-cold. "No problem. A deal's a deal." He bent down. Scooped Bella into his arms. His movements were steady. Possessive. He scanned the room. His voice cut through the silence. "Hazel, you lost. I'm disappointed. But you're still the only queen in my heart." Bella flinched in his arms. But when she looked at me, her eyes flashed with triumph. My chest throbbed. Julian carried Bella toward the door. He didn't look back at me. Not even once.
The moment his figure disappeared, my tears finally broke free. The game was never fair. Whoever he loved would win. Now I was not the one he loved anymore. I wiped my eyes. Grabbed the wine glass on the table. Drank it all in one go. Outside, I clutched my aching chest. My hands shook as I dialed a number. "You want to get married? Fine. I agree. See you at the wedding in seven days." --- When I got home, I took several painkillers. I'd survived ninety-nine rounds. My body could handle pain. But today, for some reason, it hurt more than usual. I stared at the wedding photo on the wall. By round ninety-nine, Julian had already taken me to get wedding photos done. I'd laughed and asked if that broke the rules. He'd smirked. "My game. My rules. And you're always the reason I break them." But now, for someone else, he'd not only broken the rules—he'd watched me get shot like some kind of clown. That night, Julian didn't come home. I saw the video Bella sent me. Julian with Bella. In every corner of his most luxurious mansion. Evidence of their passion everywhere. The rare black pearl he'd bought me last month at auction? He had it in his mouth now. Rolling it over Bella's skin. Making her scream. Julian looked feral with lust. I had never seen him like that. "Hazel, you see how addicted he is to me. If you know what's good for you, leave." I stared at the message. My fingers went white gripping my phone. I forced the tears back. --- When I'd first met Julian, my Nana had just been diagnosed with severe heart disease. We couldn't afford the hospital bills. Julian appeared like a god. Paid Nana's fees. Handed me a ticket to the elimination games. He looked at me like prey. A smile on his lips. "It's just a game. Play it right, and you'll only benefit." Even though I wasn't part of the elite world, I'd heard the rumors. Julian was twisted. He held these games because the woman he loved had betrayed him years ago. After that, he stopped believing in love. He played with emotions for fun. Wanted to see how far women would go to marry him. But I took the ticket anyway. I needed money. I needed to save Nana's life. --- In the game, Julian called himself the King. Sat on his throne. Watched countless women fight for the role of Queen. I gritted my teeth through ninety-nine rounds. Extreme bungee jumping. Locked in a box with snakes. Holding my breath underwater for seven minutes. Eating live spiders. Things that made others scream and break down—I endured them all in silence. One game involved skydiving. A competitor grabbed the only parachute. Slashed my arm with a knife. Left me stranded. The plane hovered over the ocean. In my despair, a crackling voice came through my earpiece. Julian's voice. Amused. "You've won over forty rounds. Didn't think you'd die here. Any last words?" I closed my eyes. "Transfer the medical fees to my Nana's account." I heard his low laugh through the static. Then I jumped. --- When they pulled me out, I was in the ICU. Julian came to see me later. His eyes dark. "I'm counting this as a win for you. I changed my mind. The rule was whoever's boldest wins." "Still want to play? If you quit now, you get a hundred million." When he said it, his smile was self-mocking. His eyes, lonely. Something in my heart stirred. I didn't answer. Just pulled him into a hug. Julian froze. Then, suddenly, he looked overjoyed. He grabbed the back of my head and kissed me deeply. "Hazel, from now on, you're mine. I'll give you everything." He threw money at me. Bought me mansions. Gave me ten percent of his company's shares. Brought me into his world. Made people call me "ma'am." Even when his old flame came back—tried to humiliate me publicly, begged him to come back—he didn't hesitate. He smashed a bottle over the woman's head. Then he said, "Anyone else want to insult my queen? Step forward." Julian's favoritism made everyone think I was special. Made *me* think I was special. That I could make him believe in love again. But tonight, I finally understood. It was all in my head.
I turned off my phone. Sat alone in the empty mansion all night. By morning, I heard the lock turn. Julian came home. His expensive suit reeked of someone else's perfume. The hickeys on his neck were impossible to miss. He saw me sitting stiffly on the couch. He paused. Rubbed his head, annoyed. "Hazel, don't tell me you stayed up all night waiting for me." My voice came out hoarse. "Are you going to shower?" Julian froze. Looked at my pale face. My bloodshot eyes. He frowned. Tossed his jacket aside. But there was a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. He walked over. Tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I know. You're upset because you lost the game." "Winners and losers—that's the rule. According to the rules, this was round one hundred. Bella won. I should marry her." He paused. Pulled a million-dollar pink diamond ring from his pocket. Kissed my neck. "But you're mine. I'm letting you play one more round. You can take back the crown. This is my gift to you." "So next time, make sure you win." Win? I wanted to laugh. I'd had a fifty-fifty chance. He was the one who handed my crown to Bella. The rules were clear. Whoever won the final round would become his wife. Bella won. This ring was just a consolation prize. Julian seemed to remember something. His eyes glinted with challenge. He smirked. "What, Hazel? Not happy? You used to fight tooth and nail to win me over." He expected me to cry. To yell. Like all the women he'd eliminated before. But I just looked up. My voice calm. Like I was talking about someone else. "No. I don't care." "Julian, starting now, I'm quitting the game." Julian's expression froze. "Not playing? Say that again." I lifted my head. Met his gaze without flinching. "Julian, I'm done with your game." "I'll leave you. I won't cling to you. You can be with Bella in peace." Julian's breath hitched. He grabbed my arms. But then his phone buzzed in his pocket. He answered. Whatever the person said made him explode. "Touch her and I'll kill you all!" He hung up. His eyes went dark. He grabbed my wrist so hard. "Ow! Julian, what are you—" He dragged me to the car without a word. His voice was ice. "Get in. Now. Look what you've done." --- I stumbled. He shoved me into the car. Julian drove like a maniac. Didn't say a word the whole way. We reached an abandoned warehouse. I froze. Bella was tied up. Blood at the corner of her mouth. Julian rushed over. Untied her. Pulled her into his arms. His eyes were red. "Bella, don't be scared. I won't let anything happen to you." Bella clung to him. Sobbing. Then she looked at me. "Miss Hazel, if you don't want me near Julian, I can leave. But why did you have to send people to hurt me?" I took a deep breath. Looked only at Julian. "Julian, I didn't send anyone. Do you believe me?" Julian held Bella protectively. But when he looked at me, his eyes were full of disappointment. Disgust. "She's an orphan. She doesn't cause trouble. Who else would hurt her except you—jealous because she won?" "If you can't handle losing, Hazel, you're the one who can't play the game." My fists clenched. My nails dug into my palms. "Julian, I said I didn't do it!" "Julian..." Bella's voice was barely a whisper. "I'm okay. I don't blame Hazel. She just loves you too much." Julian sneered. Turned to leave with Bella in his arms. But he called over security guards. "The new queen was bullied by the old one. The old queen needs to be punished."
The guards were professionals. They immediately twisted my arms behind my back. "Mr. Voss, how should we punish her?" Julian glanced at me. Then softly asked Bella, "You decide. You're my new queen." My heart shattered again. After every elimination round, Julian used to give *me* the power to punish the losers. I was soft-hearted. I always just told them to leave Julian alone. No punishment. But now, Bella put on an innocent face. Her lips curled into a cruel smile. "Julian, I don't really know the rules. Whatever punishment was used before—let's use that now." Julian understood immediately. He looked at me. Tried to read my expression. But all he saw was dead silence. His anger flared. He held Bella tighter. Spoke through gritted teeth. "Didn't you hear the queen's order?" --- I was dragged into the mansion. Pinned to the floor. They whipped me with salt-water-soaked leather. In the next room, Julian and Bella were tangled together. Their moans mixed with my screams. The sounds filled the entire house. My skin split open. But my heart hurt more. I remembered the day in the hospital. When we'd kissed deeply. Confirmed our feelings. Julian had wanted to stop the game then. Didn't want me to get hurt anymore. But the elite players had bet hundreds of millions on the game. It wasn't just Julian's anymore. They wouldn't let it stop until the final round. Julian had held me. Eyes red. "Hazel, I promise. From now on, I'll never let you lose." And I'd lived up to that. Fought with everything I had in every round. Of course, some competitors hated me. Teamed up to cheat. Tried to kill me. But I, fueled by my love for Julian, always found a way to survive. Always ended up in his arms, victorious. Those women who'd schemed against me? They were tied up just like this. Forced to listen to Julian and me all night. But now, it was my turn. Julian had finally let me get hurt. They went at it all night. At dawn, Julian came out in a bathrobe. I heard him say, "Call my doctor. Treat her properly. Don't let her die." I lost consciousness. --- When I woke up, I was on the couch. Julian's jacket draped over me. "You're awake? Mr. Voss took Miss Bella to the victory gala. He said to get dressed and meet them there." The butler's face was neutral as he relayed the orders. My voice was raspy. I grabbed my bag. "Sorry, I need to go to the hospital. My Nana's having surgery today. Julian knows this." Julian had been the one to find Nana's heart donor. It was my reward for passing round ninety-nine. But the butler had security grab me before I could leave. "What are you doing? I said I'm not going! Julian knows—today is Nana's heart transplant!" I fought back. But my bones screamed in pain. The guards forced me into a dress. Didn't even let me take my phone. Shoved me into the car. I felt like I couldn't breathe. Julian used to go with me to visit Nana every month. But today, he broke his promise. For another woman. To celebrate a stolen victory. --- At the gala, Julian and Bella were already there. So were all the elite players. I wore a backless dress. My wounds were on full display. People whispered. Julian's eyes darkened. He walked over with his arm around Bella's waist. "Hazel, today's about celebrating Bella's win. As a former competitor, you should congratulate her. But you came empty-handed. Are you trying to embarrass her?" Bella bit her lip. "Maybe she thinks I didn't deserve to win. After all, she won the first ninety-nine rounds." I cut through the act. Stared straight at Julian. "I already quit. I don't have to congratulate her. Julian, today is Nana's surgery. Let me go." Julian's face flashed with surprise. Then it darkened. "On such a good day, you want to bring up something depressing?" My chest ached. "What do I have to do for you to let me leave?" "What do you have to do?" Julian's eyes glinted. He kissed Bella in front of me. "Let my new queen decide." Bella pretended to think. Then she grinned. "How about Hazel strips naked, kneels in front of me, and barks like a dog three times?" My breath stopped. I couldn't believe what I'd heard. And then Julian laughed softly. "Fine."
I stared at him. "Julian, what if I refuse?" Julian's smile was cold. Mocking. "When have you ever had the right to say no to me?" He signaled his friends. They all started shouting. "Didn't you hear the lady? Get on your knees! Bark!" "You lost everything. And you still think you can negotiate with Julian?" These were the same people who used to call me "ma'am." Now they'd all turned on me. Became Bella's cheerleaders. My heart clenched. Went numb. Security guards stood behind me like a wall. I couldn't escape. Julian was unpredictable. If I resisted, it would take even longer. And I needed to see Nana. Right now, dignity didn't matter. "I hope you keep your word. After I do this, let me go." My voice broke. Slowly, I undressed. Got on the floor. The room gasped. Woof! The first bark. Laughter exploded around me. I swallowed my tears. Barked again. Someone kicked me. The third bark came out. Julian's voice cut through the noise. "Enough." "Get her out of here." --- I sobbed as I grabbed my clothes. Threw them on. Stumbled out of the room. It was pouring rain outside. I finally flagged down a car. Rushed to the hospital. I burst into Nana's room. Empty. I searched frantically. Then I saw the operating room doors open. A doctor wheeled out a body covered in a white sheet. A hand hung from under it, wearing the silver bracelet I'd given Nana. My blood turned to ice. "Nana!" I screamed. Threw myself at the body. The doctor sighed deeply. "I'm sorry. We did everything we could. She wanted to see you one last time. We tried calling, but your phone was off. We had no choice but to proceed with the surgery..." I couldn't hear the rest. The world spun. I collapsed. --- When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. A nurse came in to adjust my IV. She looked worried. "Miss, I know you just lost someone you love. But you need to take care of yourself. Especially now that you're pregnant." The words hit like a hammer. "What did you say?" My voice shook. "I'm pregnant?" "Yes. You're three months along. Haven't you noticed anything?" My hand trembled as I touched my stomach. I'd once imagined marrying Julian. Having his child. But it had to happen now. When he didn't love me anymore. The door opened. Julian walked in. Holding half a piece of cake. "Hazel, you embarrassed me today." His voice was cold. Accusing. "Bella felt bad that you didn't eat. She saved you some cake." My hatred surged. The mangled cake looked like a slap to my face. "You didn't stay with Nana. You came here to fake being sick just to get my attention?" "GET OUT!" I grabbed the cup on the table. Threw it at his face. Julian dodged. His eyes flashed dark. "Ungrateful. You're nothing compared to Bella." He turned. Slammed the door. My pain and grief finally broke free. I sobbed uncontrollably.
For days, Julian paraded Bella around. Showered her with affection. I handled Nana's funeral alone. The day of the burial, the sky was thick with clouds. Rain poured down. Meanwhile, Julian was at an auction. Bidding on a rare diamond for Bella. I returned to Julian's mansion. Packed all my things. Took my suitcase to a small rental apartment. When Julian realized I wasn't at the mansion, he called. Demanded to know where I was. I didn't answer his question. Just said, "Julian, the game's over. We have nothing to do with each other anymore." --- One day later, Julian found me. He looked at my tiny apartment. Wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Hazel, you're living in this dump? You want to leave me this badly? This is just playing hard to get." My face was cold. "None of your business. Get out." But Julian's eyes narrowed. He had security restrain me. "Let's go. Bella wants to take you to an auction." --- I fought, but I was no match for the guards. They brought me to a massive private estate. Underground, there was an auction hall. The owner kept a giant python. He held events where the wealthy watched it feed. Bella was already there in an elegant gown. "Hazel, they're doing a python feeding show. But I think it's boring." On stage, a cage held a thirteen-foot golden python. It was tearing into a chunk of bloody meat. "You won ninety-nine rounds. Handling a snake should be easy for you, right? Julian, I want to see Hazel tame the python." My blood ran cold. The tiny life in my stomach seemed to sense danger. It trembled. "Are you insane? This could kill someone!" Julian looked at my pale face. For a moment, his eyes softened. He leaned close to my ear. His voice coaxing. "Hazel, you know what I hate most about you? You're too stubborn. If you'd just acted weak, I would've let you win." "I'm giving you one more chance. Beg me. And I'll make sure you win the final round." But I just stared at him. My eyes dead. I let out a hollow laugh. "Julian, my biggest regret is joining your game in the first place." Julian's face twisted. Bella chimed in, her voice sickly sweet. "How can you be so ungrateful? Julian's giving you a chance. If I were you, I'd be so thankful. If you don't play, it just means you don't really love him." Julian's eyes flashed with rage. He shoved me hard. Spoke through clenched teeth. "Put her in."
Security threw me into the cage. The python saw me. Treated me like prey. Its body tensed. It slithered toward me, tongue flicking. "Ahh!" I tried to dodge. But the snake wrapped around my leg. "Julian, please! Let me out!" My scream was piercing. "I'm pregnant!" But the crowd was too loud. No one could hear me. Julian frowned slightly. Tried to make out what I was saying. But Bella hooked her arms around his neck. Whispered in his ear. "Julian, she looks like she's having so much fun. I want to play too. Let's go backstage..." Julian's throat bobbed. Without hesitation, he scooped Bella up. Carried her toward the back. --- I had been bitten multiple times. The python coiled tighter around my body. Started to squeeze. I couldn't break free. I was suffocating. My face turned purple. "Ahhh!" Finally, I let out a blood-curdling scream. The audience realized something was wrong. "Oh my God, the snake's gone feral!" "That woman's bleeding—call an ambulance!" --- When I regained consciousness, I was in a hospital bed. My lower abdomen burned with tearing pain. I threw off the blanket. My stomach was flat. The baby was gone. My blood felt frozen. A wave of unbearable grief crashed over me. I screamed. Nana was already gone. This baby had been my only family left in the world. Why? Why did Julian have to kill my child? Why did he take away my last shred of hope? "No!" --- The door opened. Julian walked in. His face was flushed from sex. Fresh hickeys covered his neck. He glanced at me dismissively. A hint of mockery in his voice. "I heard you got your period. That's why you were sent to the hospital?" "Hazel, this isn't like you. You survived ninety-nine rounds. You've never been this dramatic before." I took a deep breath. Ignored the pain. Stood up. Then I used every ounce of strength I had and slapped him across the face. "Julian, I hope you rot in hell."
The madness in my eyes made Julian freeze. He ran his tongue over his cheek. His eyes darkened. He grabbed my wrist. "Have I been too lenient with you lately?" But then his phone rang. His expression changed. "Bella, I'm on my way. Don't be scared." "Bella's stomach hurts. I need to go. And I canceled the lease on your new apartment. Stay here and behave." He left without looking back. I stared after him. Frozen. Then I made a call. My voice shaking. "Before you come get me, I need you to help me stage something." "Make it believable. I need him to think I'm dead." --- I hung up. A message popped up on my phone. Bella, curled up in Julian's arms, her fingers tracing circles on his chest. "Hazel, see? Even when you're hurt by a snake, one word from me and Julian leaves you behind." "He doesn't love you. Even after you almost died for him, he only loves me. You're pathetic." I gripped my phone so hard it hurt. Tears blurred the screen. --- Hospital security guards blocked the exits. I had nowhere to go. I stayed in the bed. Every time I closed my eyes, I had nightmares. I dreamed of the ninety-nine brutal games. Julian's cold gaze. Nana dying in a hospital bed. The baby I never got to meet. --- A day later, Julian came back with Bella. "Hazel, are you okay?" Bella's voice was fake-sweet. "Julian really cares about you. Even though you're like this, he still wants me to compete with you fairly one more time." "If you don't play, it means you don't really love Julian. That you don't want him at all..." This time, I turned. Looked straight at them. "Fine. I'll play." Julian's eyes lit up for a split second. Bella froze. Hadn't expected me to agree so easily. Hatred flickered in her gaze, but her voice stayed soft. "I'm happy to compete fairly. But this time, I get to decide the rules." Julian stroked her head affectionately. "Of course. You won last time." Bella's smile turned vicious when Julian wasn't looking. "Last time we played Russian roulette, you lost. You must've been so frustrated." "So this time, let's play with a gun again. How about it?" My expression stayed eerily calm. I nodded. "Fine." "Then it's settled." Bella's eyes gleamed with calculation. "Julian, let's go prepare. We shouldn't disturb Hazel while she rests." Julian felt a flicker of unease he couldn't explain. But Bella pulled him away before he could think about it. --- The next night, we were brought to a cliffside. A table. Two chairs. A black handgun sat in the center. The barrel gleamed cold in the moonlight. Bella and I took our seats on opposite sides. Julian's Bentley pulled up. He stepped out slowly. Sat in a luxurious throne-like chair. A bodyguard held champagne beside him. "When the game ends," he said softly, his gaze drifting between Bella and me, "I'll announce on the spot that I'm marrying the winner." "Now. Begin."
Watch? https://cps-front.novelix.live/app-api/ext/new/20260619LovPbChhdj ? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "Novelix" app ? search for "ni305097", and watch the full series ✨! #Novelix