The rain had begun to fall again. Light drops danced on the windows of the elite club, open only to the privileged, who knew how to hide their secrets like they hide their winning cards.
Inside the hall, the green table was set, surrounded by dark leather chairs and brass lamps that cast a faint golden light. The scent of aged whiskey and cigar smoke filled the room, as if it were part of the identity of this secret world.
**Elizabeth** entered first, wearing an elegant dark wine-colored dress. Her every step announced that she hadn't come to play... but to upset the balance.
Moments later, **William** entered, elegant as ever, wearing a dark jacket and gray tie. His eyes didn't leave Elizabeth, and he sensed that she was hiding more tonight than she had let on.
**John** followed, looking nervous. This time, he wasn't just a spectator; he was going to sit with them at the table. The last to enter was **Madeleine**, smiling as if she knew the end of the movie all along.
The four of them sat down. A light silence fell over the moment, as if something was waiting to be said before the cards were shuffled.
♠ **Elizabeth (moving her chair closer, looking at everyone):** "Before we begin... there's one condition."
🃏 **William (raising an eyebrow):** "A condition? In your game, or ours?"
♠ **Elizabeth (looking at him steadily):** "A condition on the truth. Every hand we lose... we reveal something we've been hiding."
❤️ **Madeleine (laughing, her voice as soft as deceptive silk):** "Ah, Elizabeth... you love turning gambling into psychoanalysis, don't you?"
♠ **John (worried):** "And if we don't want to reveal it?"
🃏 **William (looking at John, then at Elizabeth):** "Then we lose the game twice."
The game had begun, but it wasn't about money or cards. It was a gamble with selves, faces, and stories each thought would remain buried.
**First Round.**16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kzpw2GxBS
The cards were dealt. The stares began. **Elizabeth** watched **John's** hand, noticing his confusion. **Madeleine** didn't even look at her cards, as if playing with her gut.
♠ **William (after a calculated throw, raises his eyes):** "John... how many times have you lied to Elizabeth since you met?"
**John** freezes. A moment of silence. Everyone stares at him.
♠ **John (in a low voice):** "Twice... or three."
♠ **Elizabeth (deadly calm):** "I remember one."
♠ **John (lowers his eyes):** "When I said I didn't know William was in town... I knew."
🃏 **William (smiles):** "Nice. The first truth is out."
**Round two.**16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ub4AO7o94
**Madeline** wins. A nonchalant look of triumph crosses her lips.
❤️ **Madeline (directs her gaze at William):** "My turn, ex-lover. What are you still hiding from me... and her?"
**William** stares at Madeline. For a moment, something inside him stirs. Then, in a low voice:
🃏 **William:** "I'm not just playing against Elizabeth... I'm testing her."
♠ **Elizabeth (sharply):** "Testing me? Who gave you that right?"
🃏 **William:** "Fate... or maybe, curiosity."
**Round Three.**16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkycZ3lRl7
**Elizabeth** wins this time. She leans back and thinks for a moment. Then she turns her gaze to **Madeleine**.
♠ **Elizabeth:** "What is your true relationship to my father?"
**Madeleine** loses that mischievous smile for a moment, then slowly returns.
❤️ **Madeleine:** "He was my lover... before your father was head of the Privy Council."
A shocked silence. **John** opens his mouth in surprise, while **William** closes his eyes as if he knew.
♠ **Elizabeth (coldly):** "I knew... but I wanted to hear it from you."
**Final Round.**16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapXIG5cSpf
The atmosphere in the hall is as heavy as war. The cards move like swords.
**William** loses, knowing it's his turn to reveal the next secret. But this time he doesn't smile.
🃏 **William (looking at everyone):** "I'm the reason Elizabeth's father was killed."
Heartbeats stop. **Elizabeth** doesn't move, but her eyes don't blink.
♠ **Elizabeth (coldly):** "I thought so."
🃏 **William:** "But it wasn't exactly what you imagined."
♠ **Elizabeth:** "You'll tell the story... later."
The table fell silent. Eyes locked. Secrets were revealed, but no one felt relieved.
**The gamble wasn't on cards... but on lives.**16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU9i4O4JEw
And now, after tonight... no one could hide their true face.
But only one question remained:16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbNGPo0ypC
**Who really started the game?**16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEGmBN4byO
And does anyone know how it ends?
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