The 99th Game Was Mine All Along novel Chapter 18

For the next two weeks, Ariana immersed herself completely in the remaining performances, leaving no mental space to dwell on Luigi Maggiore or their unsettling reunion.

As the final curtain fell on their Boston engagement, she welcomed her first real break in months, planning a solo road trip along the New England coastline.

Just as she was comparing rental cars on her phone, an unfamiliar number lit up her screen. Against her better judgment, she answered.

"Miss Collins," Michael's voice was tight with barely suppressed urgency. "There's been an incident with Mr. Maggiore. He's in a bad state. Please—if you could just come to the estate—"

Having survived three years of Luigi's elaborate manipulations, Ariana immediately recognized the familiar pattern of another manufactured "emergency."

"I'm not qualified to handle whatever crisis Luigi's created for himself," she replied evenly. "That stopped being my job when he arranged my death."

Before Michael could launch into whatever script he'd prepared, she ended the call and promptly blocked the number, dropping her phone into her bag with a mixture of irritation and finality.

Twenty minutes later, settled in the back seat of an Uber, Ariana gave the driver the address of the rental agency before closing her eyes for a much-needed power nap.

She awoke disoriented some time later to the driver announcing their arrival. Still groggy, she paid through the app and stepped out, only to find herself standing before the imposing iron gates of the Maggiore estate instead of the rental car office.

Realization hit with a jolt of anger. Either the driver had deliberately ignored her instructions, or someone had intercepted and changed her ride details remotely.

Just as she pulled out her phone to order another Uber, the estate's massive entry doors swung open. Davis, the Maggiore family's long-serving butler, emerged with several staff members, their faces lined with evident relief.

"Miss Collins!" Davis hurried down the steps. "Thank God you've come. Please—it's urgent."

Before she could articulate her protest, she found herself efficiently escorted through the marble foyer she had once called home.

Stepping back into this space sent an unexpected wave of déjà vu washing over her. Her hasty "death" had left everything preserved exactly as it had been—her dance theory books still stacked on the side table, her favorite cashmere throw draped over the sofa arm, even the half-finished cup of tea she'd left on the mantle the morning of the fire, now long since evaporated.

The effect was deeply unsettling, like walking through a museum exhibit dedicated to her former life.

Davis hovered anxiously at her elbow, explaining the situation as he guided her toward the grand staircase.

"Mr. Maggiore hasn't been...functional...since encountering you at the hospital," the older man explained in hushed tones. "He's refused all food for days, fired his medical team, and has been drinking continuously. The business is in freefall."

When recognition finally penetrated the alcoholic haze, he scrambled to his feet with desperate energy, staggering across the room toward her.

"Ariana!" Her name emerged as a broken plea.

Before she could step back, he had engulfed her in a clumsy embrace, his body radiating feverish heat and the sour smell of prolonged self-neglect.

"You came back," he mumbled against her hair, his voice cracking. "Please—don't leave again. I'm so sorry. I'll do anything. Anything. Just don't disappear. I can't—I can't do this without you."

Mistaking her rigid posture for acceptance, he cradled her face in unsteady hands, leaning in with desperate intent. "Forgive me. Please forgive me. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you—"

The crack of her palm against his cheek echoed through the room like a gunshot.

Taking advantage of his stunned immobility, Ariana shoved him forcefully away, putting several feet between them.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she demanded, her carefully maintained composure finally fracturing.