Game Over No Second Chances

Chapter 3

A flicker of hesitation flashed in Zach's eyes.

"Rena, Wendy's apartment is under renovation," he began. "The fumes are too strong, and it's bad for her health, so..."

Serena felt a tightness in her chest. She had convinced herself she wouldn't care anymore, yet the suffocating pain spread through her entire body.

"She can't afford a hotel?"

Wendy's eyes reddened as she packed up her violin. "Please don't fight because of me. I'll leave right now."

She reached for her suitcase in a fluster, but in her rush, she bumped into the corner of the table. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she clutched her chest, her breathy whimper both pained and delicate.

"Are you okay? Why are you so careless? Where does it hurt? Did you bring your medicine?" Zach's voice was full of worry as he scooped her into his arms and headed upstairs.

There were only two rooms upstairs-his and Serena's.

"This is my house. I don't agree!"

Serena stepped forward, blocking his way. The tension in the air turned suffocating.

Zach's expression darkened. "Serena, Wendy isn't feeling well right now. If you want to throw a tantrum, pick a better time. And let me remind you-I bought this villa. Get that straight."

Wendy's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she weakly wrapped her arms around Zach's neck, her lips nearly brushing his jaw.

"Zach put me down," she pleaded. "Someone like me... How could I possibly deserve to stay here?"

Zach's protective instinct flared instantly. He shoved Serena aside and carried Wendy upstairs.

"I decide who belongs here," he declared.

Serena stumbled back, her leg hitting the staircase railing. A sharp pain shot through her, draining the color from her face.

Zach gently soothed Wendy, not sparing Serena a single glance.

After making sure Wendy was settled, he went downstairs, only to find that Serena was nowhere to be seen. He called her, but she didn't pick up.

two places she could go here or

he turned to go upstairs, something in the corner caught his

mentioning picking a wedding date before her birthday. He picked up the pouch and pulled out the red

date written on it was next

phone and called his assistant, clearing

series of transaction notifications popped

text. "Ten million limit. Spend it all and come home. No staying out

was indulgence in his words, a hint

had just signed another receipt when the message popped up.

ten. One word from him, and she

side forever was in the bedroom they had planned

woman.

scoffed. "No staying

no intention

her bags and headed straight to the most luxurious seven-star hotel in Yellowbrook City. She booked

menu.

of red wine as she

had other

sent a message. "Tomorrow at 10:00

came almost

of the original shares. Just like the

ease his burden, she had linked the dividend account to the company's finances. Over the years, she had never taken a single cent, reinvesting everything into the company. Now that she was leaving,

"I extended your stay at the hotel until next Monday. Rena, don't be mad anymore. I'll pick you up that morning, and we'll go to

her suitcase. The charm

at his text for a long

extended Serena's hotel stay as if it were nothing. And

How ironic!

help but wonder how he still believed she would obediently marry him after

pm, Serena woke

her stomach, like fire

Her only goal had been to help Zach prove himself to the Foster family. The excessive drinking had landed her in the hospital with a gastric perforation. It had taken her six months to recover. After that, Zach forbade her from getting involved in the company, insisting she stay home and be his

opened the nightstand

she remembered-this wasn't their house. This