Game Over No Second Chances novel Chapter 25

CHAPTER 025

+35 BONUS

LAUREN’S POV

I let out a small sigh as I walked toward the couch, feeling the weight of everything pressing against my chest. “I don’t know, Tess,” I began, my voice softer than I intended, “I’m caught between worlds here. I can’t allow her to stay alone here. But I also can’t sit back and do nothing about our situation either.”

I paused, rubbing my palm over my forehead, the exhaustion sinking deeper than my bones. “I know you’d help me out with accommodation, you’re my friend and you’ve already opened your doors to us, but I can’t stay in your place forever, Tess. You have your own life to live, and I’m not going to be the one to get in the way of that.” My words felt heavy, raw, but honest. “And you know it’s true, even if you don’t want to admit it.”

Tessa folded her arms and tilted her head at me, her expression softening into something between concern and stubborn care. “We’re gonna talk about this more when we get back,” she finally said, trying to shift the mood, even if only for a moment. “You haven’t had anything to eat since you got here, and you know how rough the local supermarket can get on weekdays. It’s gonna take a while, so the earlier we leave, the better.”

Her words made me realize just how empty my stomach felt, but it was my mind that felt hungrier – hungry for a plan, for a way out of this mess. Still, I just nodded, silently grateful that she was here to keep me moving forward. 1

“Alright,” she said, catching my nod. “You seem to be dressed well enough, so I’ll quickly change, and then we can go.” With that, she turned and disappeared into the room, leaving me alone in the small living space.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the worn–out couch and the tiny coffee table cluttered with magazines and an empty mug. Everything here felt small, simple, but there was a certain warmth I hadn’t felt in Ethan’s mansion for years – a warmth built from genuine care, not marble floors or chandeliers.

In just a few minutes, Tessa reemerged, her hair now tied back and wearing a casual top and jeans. “Let’s go,” she said, giving me a reassuring smile. Together, we ordered an Uber and made our way to the supermarket.

–

Once there, the fluorescent lights and narrow aisles felt strangely comforting, like a piece of my old life before everything became complicated. But as we pushed the cart through, every time I reached for something – cereal Elena liked, juice boxes, small packs of fruit — my hand hesitated. Because it wasn’t my money paying for it. It was Tessa’s. And every item I placed in the cart felt like adding another brick of guilt onto my shoulders.

“Pick what you know Elena likes,” Tessa said gently beside me, noticing my hesitation. “Don’t overthink it.”

I forced a smile. “I know… It’s just… I don’t want to overdo it.”

“You’re her mother, Lauren,” she replied, not breaking her stride. “And she deserves to eat what she loves, especially now.”

That comforted me a little. So, I chose carefully- yogurt, some chicken for dinner, rice, bread, even a small box of Elena’s favorite cookies. The supermarket was crowded, and my mind kept drifting to thoughts of bills, jobs, and what tomorrow might bring.

After what felt like hours, we finally made it back to Tessa’s apartment. The exhaustion hit me all at once, making my legs feel heavy as we carried the bags inside. I started unpacking everything, arranging it in the small kitchen cabinets and the fridge.

CHAPTER 025

+35 BONUS

Then I heard the low rumble of an approaching bus from outside. My eyes shot to the clock on the wall: it was already that time. Funny how time could slip away so quickly when your mind was consumed by worries.

“If we’d stayed any longer, you might’ve come back to find your daughter standing by the door,” Tessa teased lightly as she placed the milk in the fridge.

I let out a small laugh, the sound feeling almost foreign in my own ears. “You’re right,” I admitted, wiping my palms on my jeans before hurrying to the door.

The bus slowed to a stop, and a familiar little figure stepped down, her ponytail swaying. “Mommy!” Elena called, her voice lighting up my heart like sunshine breaking through clouds.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I greeted, crouching to her level as I took her school bag off her small shoulders. “How was your day today?”

“It was fun!” she answered, her eyes sparkling, cheeks rosy from the afternoon breeze.

“Oh really? You wanna tell us all about it?” Tessa asked as she walked into the living room, coming to stand beside me with that playful grin she always wore when talking to Elena.

“We did a special activity today! I wasn’t bullied by anyone,” Elena said, her eyes lighting up as she spoke. There was so much innocence and joy in her voice that, for a moment, my heart felt lighter.

“That is so much fun! I wish I had stayed in school with her,” Tessa teased, resting her hand gently on my arm.

“And that wasn’t even the best part,” Elena continued, her words spilling out fast like she could barely keep them inside.

“Tell us more,” I prompted softly, my voice warm but already bracing myself for whatever was coming next.

“Well…” She paused, drawing it out the way kids do when they want to savor the moment. “I got to see Daddy today!” Her face lit up with the brightest smile, the kind that only little children could pull off, full of love and hope.

But as she said it, my own smile faltered. I could almost feel it slipping off my face, replaced by that dull, familiar ache in my chest. Memories of everything that happened yesterday came crashing back, like waves hitting an old scar that never quite healed. My mind flashed to Ethan’s hand raised against me, the cold look in his eyes, and then to Sofia, standing there smug and pregnant with his child.

I glanced at Tessa, whose eyes met mine. She knew what was going through my head – she’d seen the look before. She gave me a small nod, her way of silently telling me to keep it together, at least in front of Elena.

“And how did you see your dad?” I asked, trying to sound calm, even though it felt like my heart was caught in a

vice.

“My teacher said he came by the school to say hello, and he asked to see me,” Elena said, her small hands still clutching the straps of her backpack.

“And… was he alone?” I forced the words out, each syllable feeling heavier than the last.

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