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.

didn't think much of it. In Yellowbrook City, there were only two places she could go here or Pauline's house in the countryside.

to go upstairs, something in the corner caught his

wedding date before her birthday. He picked

date written on it was next

his assistant, clearing his schedule for the

moment he hung up, a series of transaction notifications popped up from Serena's secondary credit card-jewelry, clothes, designer

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

was indulgence in his words, a hint of

another receipt when the message popped up. Her heart felt emptier

she was ten. One word from

by her side forever was in the bedroom they had planned

woman.

"No staying

had no intention of coming

straight to the most luxurious seven-star hotel in Yellowbrook City. She booked the penthouse suite

menu.

wine as she gazed at

life had

a message. "Tomorrow at 10:00 am. Eastside Café. Bring the money,

reply came almost

and Zach had built together. When it was first established, he had given her 10% of the original shares. Just like the villa they lived in, it was meant to be something that tied them together

burden, she had linked the dividend account to the company's finances. Over the years, she had never taken a single cent,

to bed, Zach sent another WhatsApp message. "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

searched through her suitcase. The charm pouch

at his text for

their marital bed, yet he extended Serena's hotel stay as if it were

How ironic!

believed she

pm, Serena woke

through her stomach, like fire licking at her

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

the nightstand drawer, and fumbled inside-only to find it

remembered-this wasn't their house. This was a