_Author’s POV_
Celina had a Jack, a Queen and a six.
The dealer had a Jack and an eight.
She went bust.
The dealer won.
Celina’s mind froze as the reality hit her like a physical blow.
She couldn’t believe she’d lost again.
The cards seemed to mock her from the green felt table, and the numbers on her debt chits swam before her eyes like accusing fingers.
The dealer collected the scattered cards and shuffled them calmly, the soft whisper of paper against paper filling the sudden silence.
He waited patiently for her to decide which piece of jewelry to pawn next.
While Celina was torn between leaving and continuing her losing streak, the tuxedoed stranger slipped out of the crowd into a corner behind a roulette table.
“You did well.” Victoria patted his sho
