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Game Over No Second Chances novel Chapter 22

CHAPTER 022

LAUREN’S POV

I switched on my phone and saw it was already past midnight. The street was quiet except for the distant hurn of

a generator somewhere in the neighborhood and the occasional bark of a stray dog.

My heart felt heavy, but I forced myself to keep breathing, to stay calm for Elena’s sake.

Would she be able to make it?

I asked myself for what felt like the hundredth time. A few minutes ago, I had been on the brink of panic, wondering where Elena and I were going to sleep tonight. The streets felt colder than I’d ever known them, and every gust of wind seemed to whisper doubts into my ears.

Then I remembered I had an amazing friend, a friend who had always been more like a sister than anything else.

Tessa.

And just like I hoped, she agreed for us to come stay with her for a while. I silently thanked God for sending someone like her into my life. Just then, I felt a small pinch on my leg, and my hand instinctively slapped the

spot.

I looked at my palm and saw a small smear of blood. Not mine but from the mosquito I’d just killed. They were everywhere tonight, buzzing around us in relentless circles. But I wasn’t even worried about myself.

No.

All my worry was for Elena. She was still so little, barely old enough to understand why we’d left in such a hurry. Her immune system wasn’t as strong as mine, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her falling sick especially now that I literally didn’t have any money with me to take her to a doctor if she needed it.

Tessa had said she would be here in a few minutes, and I clung to those words like they were the only thing holding me together. I prayed she wouldn’t take long. Every second out here felt like forever.

Mummy?Elena’s small voice came from beside me, breaking the silence.

I turned and looked down at her, her innocent face barely lit by the dim streetlight.

Yes, baby?I answered, trying to smile as I gently swatted away another mosquito buzzing close to her cheek.

You told Aunt Rosa there was a car waiting for us,she said, her brow furrowed with confusion. But we’ve been standing here for a long time, and there is no car.

I knelt beside her so we could be face to face, though my heart felt like breaking.

Don’t worry, baby. The car is on its way,I said softly, my hand brushing a stray curl away from her forehead.

Her eyes stayed on me, studying me the way only children can.

Then she asked, Why didn’t you take Daddy’s car?

The question pierced deeper than I expected. For a split second, my mind went blank, and I almost stumbled

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CHAPTER 022

+35 BONUS

over my words. But I caught myself.

You see, Daddy and Mummy’s cars are having some problems now, so we can’t use them tonight,I explained as calmly as I could.

It was a lie, yes

but the kind I had to tell to protect her little heart.

She nodded slowly, her eyes still uncertain, but she trusted me enough not to ask more. That trust both comforted me and made me feel guilty at the same time.

Then, at last, a pair of headlights came up from down the street, cutting through the darkness. As the car approached, I held my breath, praying it was Tessa. The car slowed down as it reached us, and I nearly sighed out loud in relief when I saw the back door open and Tessa stepped out.

Are you okay? Are you hurt?she asked quickly, her eyes scanning me up and down.

She sounded worried, and for a moment, she completely forgot Elena was standing there.

Why would I be hurt? I’m fine,I replied, though my cheeks still burned faintly from Ethan’s slap earlier that night.

Aunty T!Elena’s voice piped up as she stepped forward and wrapped her little arms around Tessa’s waist.

Tessa’s face immediately softened as she looked down at Elena.

And how is Princess Elena doing? Have you grown taller since I last saw you?she teased, her hand resting under her chin dramatically.

Yes, I did!Elena replied, her voice bright with excitement and her face glowing with a genuine smile.

You keep this up at this rate, you’re gonna grow taller than me in no time,Tessa teased. Her voice carried that warm, playful tone that always managed to draw a giggle out of Elena. And just like that, my daughter laughed a sweet sound that eased, if only for a heartbeat, the heaviness crushing my chest

Tessa then shot me a small nod, a silent promise that she had us now. She moved quickly, helping me with the luggage, her hands brushing against mine as if to say, “It’s okay, you’re safe now.

We settled into the car: Elena and I in the back, Tessa taking her place in the passenger seat beside the driver. The sound of the engine began to lull my nerves, though my heart still beat too fast. The Uber pulled away from the curb, and as the car moved forward, I found my gaze drawn backdrawn helplessly to that house. That house I had once thought of as a home.

But no matter how much it hurt, I reminded myself: I wasn’t just walking away. I was doing this for Elena.

Mummy, is Aunty T coming along with us on the girlstrip?Elena asked, her big eyes wide and hopeful.

Yes, dear, she is,” I replied softly, mustering a tired smile just for her.

It wouldn’t be a girlstrip if I wasn’t there!Tessa added, twisting around in her seat to wink at Elena.

Still, I held onto that smile because Elena needed it.

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CHAPTER 022

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