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.

were only two places she could go here or Pauline's house in the countryside. She would throw a

something in the

remembered Serena mentioning picking a wedding date before her birthday. He picked up the

on it was next

his

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

opened WhatsApp and sent a text. "Ten million limit. Spend it all and come home. No staying

words, a hint

moment, Serena had just signed another receipt when the message popped up. Her

life since she was ten. One word

once promised to be by her side forever was in the

woman.

scoffed. "No staying out

had no intention of

bags and headed straight to the most luxurious seven-star hotel in Yellowbrook City. She booked the penthouse suite and ordered the most expensive red

menu.

the floor-to-ceiling windows, holding a glass of red wine

had

her phone and sent a message. "Tomorrow at 10:00 am.

reply came

had built together. When it was first established, he had given her 10% of the original

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

your stay at the hotel until next Monday. Rena, don't be mad anymore.

through her suitcase. The

text

supposed to be their marital bed, yet he extended Serena's hotel stay as if it were nothing. And now, he was casually bringing up getting their marriage certificate, as

How ironic!

how he still believed she would obediently marry him

pm, Serena woke up

through her stomach, like

had spent days attending one business dinner after another, fighting to secure deals and attract investors. 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.

opened the nightstand drawer, and fumbled

wasn't their