Game Over No Second Chances novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

LAUREN’S POV

Elena just gave me a small nod, then slowly pushed her blanket aside and slipped out of bed, her little feet touching the cool floor. My chest tightened watching her – so small, so innocent, and yet about to be pulled into something she didn’t ask for.

I got up, my fingers trembling slightly as I opened her small wardrobe and started packing her essentials. Her favorite pajamas, the little yellow dress she loved to twirl in, some leggings, and sweaters – because nights could get cold wherever we ended up. I folded them carefully, almost as if each piece of cloth carried my hope to keep her life feeling normal, despite everything falling apart.

Then I packed her school bag – her books, her pencils, and her colored pens that she used to draw those pictures that broke my heart earlier. Even if we were leaving, I wanted to keep her routine as stable as possible. She would still go to school, she would still draw, laugh, and live like every child

deserved to.

Behind me, her small voice cut through the silence. “Is Daddy coming too?”

I stopped, my hand frozen over a pink sweater. Slowly, I turned to her, forcing a gentle smile. I walked up and bent down to her level so we were face to face. Her eyes, so much like Ethan’s, stared back at me, full of hope and confusion.

“No, baby,” I said softly. “Daddy has a lot of work to do, and we can’t-interrupt that. But you’ll still see Daddy, I promise. You can just think of this as a little girl’s trip, okay?”

I saw her hesitate, a small frown forming. I couldn’t blame her – all she really wanted was to see her father smile at her the way he used to. But I couldn’t promise her that anymore.

“Why don’t we sit down and talk, hmm?” I suggested, sitting on the edge of her bed and patting the spot beside me. She climbed up, her tiny hands resting on her lap.

“This little trip we’re going on,” I began, swallowing hard because the words stung, “I’m not going to force you, okay? If you want to stay here with Daddy, you can tell me. I’ll listen, I promise.” I took her hands gently in mine, feeling how small and warm they were.

She looked up, her voice timid. “Are we going to come back?”

“Of course,” I whispered, blinking back tears. “Remember, it’s just a short girls’ trip. And once Daddy finishes his work, he’ll come join us, okay?”

It pained me deeply to lie to her like this. But if I told her the truth-that I was taking her away because her father was no longer the man I married – I knew she’d refuse to leave. And leaving her here… that wasn’t an option I could live with.

Her expression brightened a little. “Okay then, I’ll come. Will there be lots of snacks where we’re going?”

I let out a small laugh, ruffling her soft hair. “Don’t you trust your mom? Of course, there will be snacks.”

A tiny smile lit up her face, easing the ache in my heart for just a moment. Then she glanced down at her nightgown. “Do I need to change?”

“No, sweetheart,” I said, standing and wiping my eyes quickly. “We’re in a hurry, so it’s okay.”

I turned back to her wardrobe, grabbed her small suitcase – a pink one with cartoon princesses on it – and zipped it shut. Then I reached for my own luggage, which felt heavier now, not just because of the clothes inside, but because of the weight of this decision.

“Alright,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “Let’s head out.”

She nodded and slipped her small hand into mine. Together, we walked towards the door. The quietness of the house felt almost unreal, the kind that wraps around you and reminds you that something has been broken beyond repair.

As we made our way down the stairs, the suitcase wheels bumping gently on each step, Rosa stepped out from the kitchen, a dish towel still in her hand. Her eyes went wide the moment she saw us the luggage, my pale face, Elena’s sleepy expression.

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Chapter 17

W

“Ma’am… what’s going on?” Rosa asked, her voice careful, confused, and worried all at once. “Are you going on a trip?” Rosa added stepping closer.

“Yes… kind of,” I replied, forcing a small smile. My hand tightened around the handle of Elena’s small luggage as I spoke, trying to stop it from shaking.

Her gaze drifted to the clock on the wall. “It’s 10:30 pm… isn’t it a bit late?” she asked.

“I don’t want to miss my flight,” I said, my voice coming out quieter than I intended. A part of me hoped she wouldn’t ask more questions, but Rosa had always been attentive, like family.

“You should have told me a day before so I could prepare your luggage for you. And you should have called me to carry them down too,” she scolded gently, the way a mother would.

Without arguing, I handed her my suitcase. It was heavier than I remembered, probably because I’d packed it in such a rush, but her hands took it easily. The weight off my arms brought only a small relief, the heaviness in my chest refusing to lift.

My eyes lifted instinctively, drawn to the top of the stairs – and there he was.

Ethan stood there, half-shrouded in shadow, one hand resting against the railing. His expression was impossible to read, but I could still see that coldness in his eyes. That indifference had cut deeper than any harsh word.

Quickly, I turned my head away and reached for Elena’s hand. “Come on, sweetheart,” I whispered, giving her small palm a gentle squeeze. I didn’t want her to see him like that – not tonight.

We stepped out into the night air. The breeze felt cooler than I expected, brushing over my skin and sending a small shiver down my spine.

By the driveway, Rosa had already set my luggage near the trunk of the car. Except it wasn’t really my car anymore. My chest tightened painfully at that thought, but I pushed it aside.

“I’m not taking that today, Rosa,” I said quietly, walking closer..

She looked confused, her brow furrowing. “Then…?”

“Just leave the luggage outside the gate. A car will come to pick it up,” I lied. My voice almost faltered at the end, because in truth, there was no car. No plan. Just a stubborn decision I’d made to leave.

Her eyes darted to Elena, then back to me. I could see the worry etched in every line of her face. She knew something wasn’t right, but Rosa was wise enough not to pry further.

She carried the luggage outside the gate, pausing for a moment to scan the empty street. There was no sign of headlights, no approaching engine — nothing but silence and darkness stretching on both sides of the road.

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