Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

I didn't think Arthur would lose it just because Bella pushed his buttons. Bella shot me a look like she wanted a pat on the back, but I wasn't impressed.

I had a gut feeling this was serious business, not something regular folks could handle.

Arthur grew up in the sticks and worked his butt off to get out of poverty, so I got his drive.

But now, with a better life, I didn't expect him to blow his hard-earned cash on a mistress.

Even though I knew Arthur was a two-faced jerk, I still didn't want him to waste his money. He didn't just find it lying around. He was an only child, and his parents were still struggling. The Miller Family couldn't afford to lose. "Arthur, can you handle the cost of losing?" I asked. Ethan stopped shuffling the cards but stayed quiet.

I meant well, but my words pushed Arthur over the edge.

Arthur walked over, pulled out a chair, sat down, and tossed a bank card on the table with a sneer. "Emily, not only am I playing today, but I'm also going to win big."

I took a deep breath and held back from advising him. I didn't expect him to be this immature.

"Emily, don't go soft," Ethan whispered in my ear, his arm around my shoulder.

I felt a pang of sadness and slumped a bit. Even Ethan saw I meant well, but Arthur thought I was provoking him. This marriage was a mess.

"Deal the cards," Oliver shouted, signaling the staff.

Soon, we each had three cards. I thought Ethan would join in, but he just sat next to me, watching, his arm around my shoulder, his breath in my ear.

It was almost comical. Arthur and I, husband and wife, sat across from each other, but he was with Vivian, and I was with Ethan. Anyone watching would think it was a movie scene of couples getting back at each other. I didn't know the game rules; I just saw my chips disappearing fast.

Arthur, on the other hand, was winning big. He held Vivian proudly and gave me a smug smile. I cursed silently, 'Two jerks.'

I was anxious. Even though Ethan said he didn't care about winning or losing, losing too much made me feel guilty. I still owed him a favor from last time, and favors are the hardest debts to repay.

"Ethan, your girlfriend's got terrible luck," Oliver teased, making it hard for me to stay calm.

"I might not be lucky today. How about someone else takes over?" I said, trying to stand up.

Ethan pressed my shoulder, keeping me seated, his lazy smile in place. "It's fine, just play. It's only the beginning; who knows how it'll end."

I had no confidence, so I didn't get where Ethan's came from.

Vivian couldn't hide her pride with Arthur winning. I couldn't stay composed either. Compared to her smugness, I must've looked pretty defeated. "Emmy, show your cards. Your boyfriend can afford to lose," Bella said, clearly trying to provoke Arthur.

But Arthur was too busy feeling proud and chasing money to care.

My unlucky streak continued, and I was scared of losing everything Ethan had.

"Should we stop?" I turned to Ethan, not expecting him to be so close that my lips brushed his cheek. The unexpected touch made me blush. Ethan looked a bit surprised, then smiled mischievously. "Don't blush. If you want to kiss, just kiss. I'm not stopping you."

He said it loud enough for everyone to hear, making me wish I could disappear.

Arthur's smile finally faded. He grabbed Vivian's chest in a retaliatory move.

"Alright, stop teasing the single folks. If you want to date, do it somewhere else," Oliver joked.

Ethan ignored him, looking at me with affection. "Let's play one last round, betting all the chips," he said, pushing all his chips forward.

"Alright, I'm in," Oliver said, pushing his chips forward with a cigarette in his mouth.

Bella smiled and did the same.

Arthur hesitated. He didn't have as much money and couldn't be as bold.

But Vivian, not wanting to lose face, pushed all his chips forward. "Bring it on, who's scared?"

For the last round, I instinctively placed my left hand over my right to hide its slight tremor. Ethan quietly held my hand under the table, saying softly, "Reveal the cards. Win or lose, this is it." After looking at his cards, Oliver cursed and threw them away. Bella did the same. Arthur's face was serious as he revealed his cards. I knew he was scared of losing too.

Vivian's eyes were glued to the three cards Arthur slowly revealed. When the result was clear, she almost jumped up.