Game Over No Second Chances novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

LAUREN’S POV

Tessa drove into the driveway slowly and carefully parked the car. As the engine died, a heavy silence filled the space between us. I stared at the front door, the house that once felt like a safe place – warm, secure, filled with memories. Now, it just looked… unfamiliar. Like the shell of something I used to recognize.

I let out a long, shaky breath, and Tessa caught it.

“Remember,” she said softly, turning slightly in her seat to face me, “don’t stress yourself too much. You don’t want to end up in the hospital again – or worse. Elena needs you.”

I nodded, though my chest was still tight with anxiety. “I know,” I murmured, unclipping my seat belt and letting it retract with a soft click.

“And Lauren,” she added, her voice quieter but more serious, “try to keep your voice low if you’re going to talk to Ethan. Elena doesn’t need to hear everything.”

I gave her a faint smile. That motherly concern was one of the reasons Tessa had always been more than just a best friend – she was like family. In some ways, more dependable than even Ethan lately.

“She’s lucky to have you as her second mom,” I said, letting out a small chuckle to ease the tension.

“Don’t worry,” I added, “I know how to handle this.”

Tessa nodded and reached for her purse. “Well, since you’re okay now, I guess I’ll take my leave. I was actually in the middle of something important when you called from the hospital, but you know I’ll always show up for you.”

“I know,” I said sincerely. “Thank you, Tess. I really don’t know what I would’ve done without you today.”

I leaned in and gave her a hug. It lasted for a few seconds, longer than most, because there was so much I couldn’t say – but that hug carried it all.

After pulling apart, she reached into the center console and handed me my car keys..

We both stepped out of the car. She adjusted her bag over her shoulder and began walking toward the gate.

“You better hurry before Elena sees you,” I said playfully.

The moment I mentioned Elena, she picked up her pace like she’d just remembered she was sneaking out of a secret mission. I smiled to myself and watched her disappear past the gate.

Then I turned toward the door. As I stepped inside, I immediately noticed the difference. The house was quiet. Too quiet for a home that used to echo with laughter, with movement, with life. It was the first time I’d come back and felt like I was walking into a stranger’s space.

I closed the door gently behind me and stood there for a moment, just breathing it in.

“Welcome back, ma’am,” came a familiar voice from behind,

I turned and saw our head maid, Ruth, standing with her hands folded in front of her, giving me a warm smile.

“Thank you,” I replied politely. “Where’s Elena?”

“She’s in her room watching a movie,” Ruth said,

“Has she had dinner?”

“Yes, ma’am. She finished a little while ago,” she replied.

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I nodded again. “Is there anything you would like me to get for you?” she offered.

“A glass of water would be fine,” I said softly.

Ruth gave a slight bow and turned toward the kitchen.

I made my way to the living room and sat down slowly, the couch sinking beneath me. My eyes instinctively scanned the driveway through the window.

Ethan’s car wasn’t there.

Of course. He wasn’t home yet.

I let out another sigh and leaned back, closing my eyes for a moment. I didn’t know what I would say to him when he walked in – if he walked in at all tonight. A part of me was already rehearsing every possible scenario. Anger. Silence. Accusation. Tears. Would he pretend nothing happened? Would he lie? Would he apologize?

Would I even care?

Ruth returned a few moments later and placed a tall glass of water on the table in front of me. I thanked her with a nod, then reached for the glass.

The moment the cold liquid touched my lips, it felt like a tiny reset button. I took a long sip, almost finishing half of it in one go. It was oddly refreshing – maybe it was because I had just come from the hospital. Maybe it was because I needed something to ground me.

The moment I set the glass down on the table, I heard the soft click of a door upstairs.

I turned my head toward the staircase.

Sure enough, Elena’s door opened, she must have noticed that I was home, My heart instantly felt warmer at the sight of her.

“Mom?” she called softly when she spotted me.

“Come here, baby,” I said, patting my lap with a smile.

She hurried over, and as she reached me, I scooped her up gently and placed her on my lap. I held her close, brushing a strand of her curly hair behind her ear. She looked like a smaller version of me, but her eyes – those wide, expressive eyes – were Ethan’s.

“How was school today?” I asked her, planting a kiss on her temple.

But instead of her usual bubbly response, she turned her face away, lips tightening. I frowned immediately. That wasn’t like her.

“Elena?” I said softly, lowering my head to meet her eyes. “What happened?”,

She stayed quiet for a moment, then let out a small sigh before finally answering. “Some kids… they found my drawing of you and Daddy. The one where you were arguing.”

My heart dropped.

“They’re making fun of me,” she added, her small voice barely above a whisper.

I blinked. “Wait, what do you mean what drawing?”

–

“Well…” she hesitated, then continued. “After you and Daddy yelled at each other the other night, I was scared… so I drew it. It helped me feel better. But I think I left it in my bag, and someone found it.”

I wrapped my arms around her a little tighter, quilt stabbing through my chest like a dagger. “Oh, baby…”

“I didn’t mean to make trouble,” she said quickly, like she was afraid I’d be upset.

“No, no, no,” I said, placing my hand on her cheek gently and turning her face to look at me. “You didn’t do anything wrong, okay? Drawing is a good way to express how you feel. I’m proud of you for that.”

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“But now they’re calling me weird,” she mumbled.

My heart ached for her. “Listen to me, Elena. Me and Daddy… we’re not fighting. Grown-ups sometimes have talks that sound loud, but it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other, okay?”

She blinked, uncertain.

“And about those kids – don’t worry. I’ll speak to your teacher. But first, I need you to write their names down for me, alright?”

She nodded, and a tiny smile tugged at her lips. That smile-it meant everything to me. It reminded me why I had to be strong, even when everything inside of me felt like it was cracking apart.

Just then, the distant sound of the front gate creaking open reached my ears.

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