Game Over No Second Chances novel Chapter 5

Clement suddenly said, "Ms. Jansen, have you ever considered joining Turner Group? I can offer you—"

Before he could finish, Serena's rejection rang out, loud and clear.

"No!"

Watching her slender figure disappear, a flicker of something flashed in Clement's eyes—admiration, maybe even a hint of intrigue.

…

Another task on her checklist was completed.

Serena rested at the hotel for half a day before heading back to the villa, only to find the garden in complete disarray.

Wendy was wearing Serena's clothes, draped in an expensive wool shawl, acting like the lady of the house. She was instructing the maids to uproot the well-tended flowers.

The moment she spotted Serena step out of the car, her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

She hadn't even gotten the chance to send a video to provoke her, yet Serena had already rushed back, unable to hold her frustration.

Perfect.

With a bright smile, Wendy greeted her cheerfully. "Serena, what brings you back? Zach said you'd be staying at a hotel for the next few days. He told me to make myself at home."

She covered her lips and coughed softly. "It's my fault. My body is just so sensitive. I can't stand pollen. I even made Zach stay up late taking care of me. You're not upset with me, are you?"

Serena's gaze swept over the wilting flowers, her expression cold and indifferent.

After she left Zarena Group, Zach worried she would be bored. Knowing her love for gardening, he had gathered rare flowers for her. Some had been so delicate that it took her months to nurture them and get them to bloom.

The day the first flower bloomed, she had sent Zach a picture, telling him she wanted to use them for her wedding bouquet.

Now, they were nothing but rotting dirt.

"Good job. Keep going." She retracted her gaze and headed upstairs.

Wendy's smile froze. She had been expecting Serena to explode with rage, but Serena… was calm.

…

Inside her bedroom, Serena looked around the space she had lived in for years.

It felt hollow.

Even though she and Zach had always slept in separate rooms, everything in her space had been paired—toothbrushes, towels, stuffed animals, pajamas, pillows…

She grabbed a black garbage bag and stuffed everything inside.

She made five trips back and forth, but with all the maids busy in the garden, no one noticed her.

On her last trip back, Zach had just stepped out of his car. He rushed into the living room and straight up the stairs, not even sparing her a glance.

As Serena walked past his bedroom, she heard Wendy's tearful voice. "Zach, I should move out… Those flowers…" She coughed weakly.

"Don't be silly. They're just flowers. If she likes them, she can plant them again. Your health is what matters most. Stop crying. Look at you, all teary-eyed like a kitten."

Zach's gentle, comforting voice filled the room, each word cutting through her heart like a blade.

Back in her room, she packed up the last of her things and zipped up her suitcase. Just as she did, the door swung open.

"Rena, you—"

Zach's heart tightened when he saw the empty closet. "Where are your belongings?"

Serena turned to look at him, a faint smirk curling on her lips. "Isn't it normal to replace old things with new ones?"

Zach froze. Something about that felt off to him.

But he had already promised her they would get their marriage certificate next week. Once that happened, their relationship would change.

It was only natural for her to replace things. Besides, she had come back to the villa, just as he had asked, to take care of Wendy. It could only mean that she wasn't upset about last night.

Zach didn't think too much about it. Pushing aside his unease, he stepped forward, his hand moving to ruffle her hair like he always did.