The Card Ritual
michaelwinner16 · Ongoing · 145.7k Words
Introduction
After being cruelly dumped by her fiance, and left to raise a child all by herself, Tessa Bloom learns the hard way that loyalty means nothing in a world built on power, looks and lies. She yearns to be seen, all her life she's always been the Plain Jane in every room she stepped into, she had no problem with that, so long as she had the man of her dreams by her side. Now that dream is shattered.
The one night of heart break, leads to a drunken one night stand with a mysterious billionaire, and an untraceable ghosting that cuts even deeper. But Tessa is about to rise, not as the woman everyone remembered.
Teetering on the edge of defeat, believing no one would love her, an old friend introduced her to The Card Ritual. A secret gathering of women, who do not meet the society's standard of beauty and who've had their fair share of rejections and heart break, reclaim their power, by seducing powerful men, and then after getting down with them, completely ghost them.
Tessa steps into the shadow. New names. New looks, new rules. One card at a time, she becomes the player they never see coming.
Chapter 1
Lying on her bed, staring at the ring on the side table like it was going to disappear from sight if she looked elsewhere, Tessa replayed the events that just took place again in her head.
“You're not what I pictured for the future Tessa. I know you're mad at me but I want you to know you deserve better.”
That was all he said before walking out of her apartment, leaving behind broken promises, shattered dreams and a shredded heart.
Tessa Bloom didn't cry at first, she just stood there, barefoot on the hard floor, watching the door shut behind him. She tried to convince herself that this was just a bad dream.
But no, Jordan Troope was gone. Her boyfriend since high school. And with him, every plan she's woven into her life, the wedding, the joint savings, the child they said they'll have someday.
When Maya showed up an hour later after blowing up Tessa’s phone, and getting no response, Tessa wanted nothing more than to be alone, and she also knew she had to talk to her best friend. She cried her eyes out.
The door bell rang, she didn't move. The door bell rang again, this time insistent.
She opened the door to see Maya, eyes blazing with a mix of concern and something fierce.
“You didn't answer your phone,” Maya said, stepping inside without waiting.
“Girl are you okay? What happened?” This time she turned to Tessa, who looked like a shadow of herself. She's been crying.
Tessa just shook her head, swallowing the lump in her throat.
“Now you're scaring me, can you please tell me what the problem is?” Sitting down by her friend, Maya took her hands.
“He dumped me. Jordan dumped me” Tessa murmured.
Maya drew her friend closer to her, trying to pacify her.
“I'm so sorry, Jordan is a jerk. Look at me,” turning to face Tessa, she held her chin up so they were looking into each other’s eyes. “ You deserve better. You're the most beautiful woman I know, and you're smart, so that's his loss. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Tell me you threw something at him.”
“I wish I did.” Tessa chuckled.
“Ol’ boy got lucky I wasn't here. I'll make him sorry whenever I set my eyes on him.” Maya was silent for a moment, but almost immediately she smiled at me. I know that smile.
“You know what, since it's the weekend, we should go out, and just so you know, you have no choice.”
.
.
.
“This feels stupid,” Tessa muttered as they walked into the club.
“Girl, don't be a kill joy. We're here to celebrate your freedom.” Maya grinned, dragging her down the room.
Bass pounded through the walls with neon coloured lights, shining all over the dance floor.
People were all over the dance floor, shaking their bodies to the rhythm of the music. The strong smell of alcohol and lust filled the air, with bodies touching each other.
“I got you shots, this will help loosen you up and maybe you'll get to forget that loser. So drink up.” Maya dropped the glasses on the table in front of Tessa, urging her to take all of the shots. At first Tessa was hesitant but in no time she did as she was told.
Tessa could feel herself losing up. She laughed at every little joke the people around her made. She noticed Maya at the other end of the room, all lovey dovey with some hot guy.
That bitch is thirsty.
Just then Tessa’s eyes caught the stranger, he was staring at her and now he was walking towards her.
Dark suit, collar undone, a glass of scotch in his hand. He looked like a million bucks.
“ Bad night?” The voice was the kind that made shivers run down your spine.
“The worst.” She said, smiling at him.
He signaled the barman for more drinks. He brought the drinks, and in no time Tessa downed hers.
“So what ruined your day?” He asked.
“Long story, my fiance dumped me. Guess I'm not polished enough for him anymore.” The hurt in her eyes was visible.
Stretching his hand, he gently cupped her face with his hands.
“You're more than enough, he just couldn't see it and believe me that's his loss.”
Those words surprisingly made her feel better. She didn't know if it was the message or the messenger, but she was about to break down.
“Thanks,” She flashed him a weak smile.
The man signaled for the bartender.
“Shots of tequila, keep them coming,” he said.
Tessa knows she's already had too much to drink, but who cares.
In no time, the room was spinning. She was laughing at almost everything he said.
They both made their way to the dance floor, swaying to the music, drowning in the rhythm of their bodies making contact, groping and grinding.
Tessa could feel all her problems evaporate in the warm air. Dancing with this breathtaking stranger, she knew coming to the club wasn't so bad after all.
He looked into her eyes, and kissed her passionately.
“My hotel is just across the road.” He whispered into her ears, those words made her knees weak.
She wanted nothing more than to get wild. “Sure, take me out of here.”
.
.
.
.
He unzipped her dress, the dress dropped on the floor and she stepped out of it.
“Wow, you're so beautiful,” taking off his shirt, he didn't take his eyes off her form.
Grabbing her, he drew her closer to him and smashed his lip against her, she moaned into his mouth. His hands slid down to her ass, he grabbed those perfect babies in his hands and squeezed them aggressively while giving her the best kiss of her entire life.
There was a fountain forming in-between her legs, she could feel it running down her thighs.
He scooped her up and dropped her gently on the bed. Fondling her breasts, he made his way down in-between her thighs.
“Now that's some real good coochie,” he said.
Her moaning got louder as he teased her with his tongue, drowning himself in her fountain, while his fingers were deep inside of her.
Tessa held the sheet like her life depended on it, she arched her back as she exploded into his mouth.
Sliding into her, a guttural growl rumbled from his chest as he thrust deeper. Tessa was a moaning mess, he made her cum several times.
Exhausted from several other sessions, they both slept off in each other's arms.
When the morning light crept into the room, Mr Stranger was still fast asleep.
Quietly and trying not to wake him, Tessa got dressed, picked up her bag, and tiptoed out of the room.
Checking her phone, she saw several messages from Maya, each one getting angrier than the last.
Collapsing in the backseat of a taxi, Tessa could feel her heart thudding.
What the hell did I just do?
Last Chapters
#135 Hot Wave Of Embarrassment And Distaste
Last Updated: 2/19/2026#134 Fun And Vibes
Last Updated: 2/19/2026#133 Heaven Is A Place On Earth
Last Updated: 2/19/2026#132 It Had To Be His Mum
Last Updated: 2/19/2026#131 Maya Was Just A Pawn
Last Updated: 2/19/2026#130 Some Celebratory Sex Play
Last Updated: 2/19/2026#129 Don't Play Nice
Last Updated: 2/19/2026#128 Good Thing She Didn't Care
Last Updated: 2/19/2026#127 Inviting The Devil Back In
Last Updated: 2/19/2026#126 What Game Was Tessa Playing?
Last Updated: 2/19/2026
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THAT'S when she gives me the most devilish grin I've ever seen and says, “You're welcome.”
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