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

go upstairs, something in the corner caught his eye-a small yellow

her birthday. He picked up the pouch and pulled out

date written on it

his phone and called his

of transaction notifications popped up from Serena's secondary

limit. Spend it all

his words,

receipt when the message popped up.

she was ten. One

forever was in the bedroom they had planned to share on their wedding

woman.

"No staying

had no intention of coming

the most luxurious seven-star hotel in Yellowbrook City. She booked the penthouse suite and ordered the

menu.

red wine

life had

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

reply came

had given her 10% of the original shares. Just like the villa they

Wanting to 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

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

her suitcase. The charm pouch

stared at his text for a long

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 if

How ironic!

still believed she would obediently marry him after all

Serena woke

spread through her stomach, like fire

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. It had taken her six months

her thoughts. She sat up, opened the nightstand

wasn't their house. This was