Page 87 of Cruel Devotion

Chen grumbled.

But how was Leo able to do that? And when did Leo discover that I even existed?!

I sat there.

Paralyzed.

A maelstrom of emotions poured into my heart.

And I felt like I was about to drown.

I almost gasped for air, so overwhelmed by feelings that seemed too vast and wild for my chest to contain.

Mountain Mistress? Like. . .Leo wanted me to be a part of all of this. . .Four Aces stuff?

The world around me grew hazy, and the conversation at the table became a distant murmur.

Meanwhile, Yan’s words echoed in my ears.

She had loudly laughed. “Such a shocking coincidence that Monique’s father happened to be living in our old apartment building. I bet it was our exact apartment.”

Panic settled in my gut.

“How did your father even come to live there?” Yan leaned her head to the side. “Tell me. Did he happen to meet a nice Chinese woman who he fell in love with and just so happened to have him move in with her?”

The new reality struck my body like a bolt of lightning.

The space blurred around the edges. Vibrant colors faded into muted tones. A distant ringing in my ears drowned out the other sounds around me.

My hands shook.

Leo had plotted for us to be together?

The faces around me grew distorted as though I was looking at them through a foggy window.

These last days have been orchestrated by him?

I widened my eyes and found it hard to breathe.

If that was true, then did my father take the money or did Leo have a hand in getting him to do it?

A cold shiver ran up my spine.

Perhaps, he was at the game that night. . .

But then, somehow Leo knew that I would come to China Town looking for my father.

How? Was Leo THAT GOOD at Life Chess?

I mean this was fucking delirious in every sense of the word.

Even more. . .had Leo always planned to kill my father?

The air around me thickened and pressed against my chest.

Swallowing was an effort as my throat constricted, each gulp feeling like I was trying to swallow a boulder.

A cold, clammy sensation spread over my skin, and my heart rate quickened, sending a rapid thud against my ribcage.

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