Game Over No Second Chances

Chapter 2

This time, Wendy's message contained no words, only a photo.

It was a photo of Zach asleep.

He was lying behind Wendy, his arms wrapped around her, holding her close as he slept soundly.

Wendy had a shy, demure smile on her face. Her lips were swollen, and the open collar of her nightgown revealed a trail of faint hickeys down her neck.

There was no need to guess what had happened last night.

Serena and Zach had been together for five years, yet they had never crossed that final line.

In the past, whenever Zach had struggled to hold back, he would pull her into his arms and murmur in a deep, husky voice, "Rena, can you grow up a little faster?"

Later on, he stopped holding her that way. He would simply coax her, saying they should wait until they were married.

She had always believed it was because he cherished her. Because he loved her.

But desire was also another form of love.

Serena stared at the photo, tears streaming down her face. It felt as if a piece of her heart had been ripped away, leaving a wound so deep it would never heal.

After breakfast, she went next door to the adjacent villa.

Crossing the specially built sky bridge, she stared at the carefully curated garden below. Despite the colorful flowers in full bloom, all she felt was emptiness.

These two villas had been bought in full after she and Zach closed a major deal together. The deed was in her name.

Zach had said everything he had belonged to her, so he had put them under her name. He had even hired a designer to create a shared garden and a connecting bridge between the two villas.

He had told her that if she ever got upset and wanted to go back to her parents' house, she could just move next door. That way, whenever he looked up, he would see her and feel at ease.

Now, she was right in front of him every day, yet he never looked at her the same way anymore.

She entered the passcode and pushed the door open. The spacious villa wasn't furnished for living but designed like an exhibition hall.

Inside, every display case housed a precious porcelain piece-Amber's life's work.

Years ago, Serena had carefully placed each piece inside, entrusting both herself and her future to Zach. But now, she would pack them up one by one and take back her future.

the custom glass of a large display case. She paused

weren't delicate or beautiful. Their shapes were uneven,

the anniversary of Amber's passing, Zach would take her

mom loved. She'll know how much you miss her, and she'll know you're

started, she couldn't even shape a piece of

was now. He hadn't had the wealth to indulge in a life of

head, speaking softly to the studio owner, persuading them to let her stay as long as she

But the time and patience Zach had for her grew less

picked up the most beautiful hand-painted ceramic jar inside. Their names were written in artistic lettering on the jar, with a

Zach had held her hand, guiding her as they wrote

emotion, he had kissed the tip of her ear. His deep voice carried a hint of laughter. "In your mom's eyes, we've already sealed the deal. You can't back

curled her lips into a self-deprecating smile. Everything she had treasured, every

ceramic jar slipped

held dear-fractured, scattered, gone

into the

finalized the price, and instructed him to officially list the property

ranch. "You're really going back?" Pauline asked with a

and leaned back in the rocking chair. For a moment, she could almost hear the faint jingle of Zach's bicycle bell. Then, his bright,

gonna be late. I brought you a bagel and

out of the memory, opening her eyes to look at the middle-aged woman cutting fruit

Pauline, back then, you left the Jansen family for a man. Do you regret it?" Pauline's hands stilled

had your cousin," she simply

but wonder whether she regretted it or not. She stared at her, waiting for an answer that

an arranged marriage. Instead, she had eloped and severed all ties

was about to give birth,

her son, Derek Warner, was in college, and she was still waiting for the man she

herself, "Love. What did it even

"If you're leaving just because your father forced you, then

not that. Zach has someone else." Serena shook her head. Her voice was soft, but the words lingered in the

leaned back in the rocking chair. "I won't let my mother's memorial be removed

her father was a selfish man, but she never expected him to stoop

had been away from home for years,

to Pauline. And her mother didn't deserve a place

It was unbelievable.

handed her a small yellow