All In, No Escape

Was there something wrong with my eyes?

No. That was impossible, absolutely impossible.

"You lost."

"So, do you admit it? We followed your rules and cleared everything behind you. You can't say we cheated."

"Everyone saw it, right?"

"Yeah!"

"Exactly!"

I gripped the cards in my hand so tightly my knuckles turned white. When I looked down again, it had somehow become a pair of threes.

In that instant, all the color drained from my face.

What the hell? It was too bizarre.

It felt like I was falling into a bottomless abyss, struggling without any hope.

Was I really going to relive the same tragedy from my past life? Why was I given a second chance at all?

A sharp slap snapped me back.

Helen's voice trembled with anger. "Nathan, I'm divorcing you."

The moment she finished speaking, Ian's men began to harass her.

"Well, look at that body… It'd be a waste without a man to appreciate it. Why don't you come with me…"

My fist slammed straight into his face as I exclaimed, "Get lost! Don't touch her,"

“Nathan, there's another game tomorrow. Be there on time. You'd better win. Otherwise, your wife…"

Ian's eyes lingered on Helen's body, greasy and disgusting. Rage surged through me, wanting to tear him apart.

When I got home, I locked myself in my room. Helen had already taken Danny and left.

She had begged me to stop gambling, but I could not control myself.

In the end, she left behind divorce papers and walked away.

I stared at the dark, overcast sky outside, then wandered out, lost, into the forest.

Like a ghost with nowhere to belong, drifting without direction.

What was I supposed to do?

I felt utterly hopeless.

As I walked deeper in, I came across a man meditating beneath the trees.

Perhaps sensing my presence, he opened his eyes and spoke to me.

An hour later, I walked out of the forest, my eyes bloodshot.

So, that was it.

That was why I could not control myself, why I had been following John like a puppet, letting him manipulate me.

'John, I'll make sure you all turn on each other and die like dogs,' I thought.

When the next day came, I willingly followed behind John into the gambling den.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw Helen.

She was tied to a chair with Ian standing behind her.

Panic hit me instantly as I rushed forward.

"What are you doing? Let her go!"

Ian sneered. "Nathan, your wife tried to assassinate me just to stop me from gambling with you. What a devoted couple."

His words cut deep.

"If you want to save her, then we're not just gambling with money tonight. We'll gamble with lives.

"If you win, you take both your wife and the money. If you lose, she belongs to me.

"Enough talk. Let's begin."

I had no choice. I could only see to it through to the end.

Helen's mouth was gagged with cloth. All she could do was whimper.

To provoke me further, Ian had stripped her down to her undergarments, leaving her exposed. The men around swallowed hard, their eyes glued to her.

Guards stood watch, making sure I could not get close.

I cast one final glance at John. I would remember that grudge.

The dealer began.

My card was a four. I did not check my hole card.

Ian showed a queen.

He pushed his chips forward without hesitation and said, "Three million dollars."

"I'm in," I replied.

I had no choice, but I was not afraid.

I slowly spun the ring on my finger, sitting there as calm as ever.

Then, the second round began.

My card was a five. Ian's was a nine.

"Another three million dollars," Ian said.

"I'm in."

The room's attention shifted from Helen to the table. It was a life-and-death game.

The third round began.

My card was an eight. Ian had a nine.

Confidence returned to Ian's face. He lit a cigarette, taking a long drag.

"Another three million dollars."

"That kid's definitely losing again," someone muttered.

Ian and John exchanged a knowing glance and smiled.

I smiled too.

They thought I was a fool, but I thought they were the idiots.

The dealer continued.

Ian drew a seven. I got a six.

Ian pushed all his chips forward, then pointed at Helen.

"Well? You calling?"

Tears slid down from Helen's face to her legs. The sight made the men in the room swallow hard.

My fists clenched in fury. I shoved my last chips forward.

"Ian, let's end this. One final bet. Life or death."

I threw a gun onto the table.

"We'll raise the stakes. Our legs. Whoever loses walks away crippled. You in?"

They burst out laughing.

"Idiot. As if you get to set the terms."

"We'll take it."

"Call it."

"Fine. You reveal first."

Ian flipped his hole card and revealed a ten.

"Your turn, you loser."

I smiled faintly and reached for my card.

The entire room fell silent as all eyes locked onto my hand.