Game Over No Second Chances

Chapter 356

Serena quickly ended the call.

The terrace returned to silence. And the air instantly grew awkward.

Hugh raised an eyebrow slightly. His gaze slowly drifted away from Serena, settling on the distant lake.

His lips parted with calm indifference. "Deadbeat husband?"

"Absolutely not," she replied quickly.

Sitting up from the recliner, Serena grabbed her still-buzzing phone-the relentless stream of Ruth's messages vibrating nonstop-and began explaining in a fluster.

"She just misunderstood. I was going to let her finish ranting before explaining, but then you showed up and..."

"I came at the wrong time?" Hugh interrupted her with a cool, unreadable tone.

Serena choked on her words, her shoulders slumping with defeat.

"Not exactly..."

"So, no explanation?" His eyes flicked toward her phone.

She couldn't tell what he was thinking at all-was he angry or not?

between a good ally and a good friend,

unreadable expression, she dialed Ruth again and, upon hearing the call

it!" Ruth snapped on the other end. "Serena, I just want you to have the best. No settling just because. No putting

had ruined Serena's music career and left her with nothing to show for

then gave a resigned little

asked him to plan my birthday party. I trust that he won't let

so calmly in Hugh's defense and was reminded

tour, Serena had also said the same thing,

really fine? If it was, how did thirteen years with Zach end in complete

want to bring up more painful memories,

would hurt her friend

Hugh

that meet the standard

guests will attend, if she doesn't want to show

on the yacht, I'll make the

flowed like the surface of

short minutes, he began outlining all

From minimizing Serena's

guests to the

down to food preferences and the addition of specific