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.

glass of a large display case. She paused in front of

pieces weren't delicate or beautiful. Their

of Amber's passing, Zach would take her to a pottery studio

loved. She'll know how much you miss

she first started,

CEO he was now. He hadn't had the wealth to indulge in a

speaking softly to the studio owner, persuading them to let her stay as long as she needed so she could immerse herself in the craft and find

improved. But the time and patience Zach had for her

the most beautiful hand-painted ceramic jar inside. Their names were written in artistic lettering

moment. Zach had held her hand, guiding her

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 out now,

had treasured, every beautiful moment, had turned into

loosened and the ceramic jar slipped from her hand and

held dear-fractured, scattered, gone with the

she finished packing everything into the

signed the necessary paperwork, finalized the price,

Pauline asked with a sigh

moment, she could almost hear the faint jingle of Zach's bicycle

up! You're gonna be late. I brought you a bagel and

pulled herself out of the memory, opening her eyes to look at the middle-aged woman

a man. Do you regret it?" Pauline's hands stilled

had your cousin,"

couldn't help but wonder whether she regretted it or not. She stared at her, waiting for

severed all ties with the Jansen family. The family disowned

to give birth,

Warner, was in college, and she was still waiting for the

thought to herself, "Love. What did

hands, then reached out and gently held Serena's wrist. "If you're leaving just because your father forced you, then you

lingered in the air like an echo on the quiet porch.

chair. "I won't let my mother's memorial

her father was a selfish man,

since Serena had been away from home for years, the Jansens should disown her,

And her mother didn't deserve a place

It was unbelievable.

Serena was leaving, Pauline handed her a small