Game Over No Second Chances novel Chapter 26

LAUREN’S POV

+35 BONUS

“If he cared about her, he wouldn’t have brought Sofia with him to her school,” I said, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. The words tasted bitter in my mouth, like poison I’d been forced to swallow.

“But he still came, Lauren,” Tessa countered gently, though I could hear the firmness beneath her tone. “I think that’s what matters right now. Some dads cut off all communication with their kids and just disappear.”

I turned to face her fully, my arms crossing tightly over my chest like a shield. “Are you trying to back him up now? Because I don’t even know whose side you’re on at this point,” I shot back, unable to hide the frustration bubbling inside me.

“Come on, Lauren,” Tessa sighed, brushing her hair away from her face. “We’re past this age of picking sides like it’s some playground argument. I’m not taking sides. I’m only telling you what’s right for Elena, not for Ethan.”

—

“Oh, so what exactly are you trying to say then?” I demanded, my voice lower but edged with exhaustion.

She hesitated for a second, and that pause made my heart thump uncomfortably. “When Elena told you her dad came to see her at school, it shows he still cares about her. And hopefully, he still wants the best for her – even if he doesn’t deserve her love. So, I came up with an idea… but you’re not going to like it,” Tessa confessed.

I let out a humorless laugh. “It can’t be worse than the things I’ve heard in the past twenty–four hours, so just say it.”

—

and

She took a breath, as if steadying herself. “Well, if you really want to get a job and secure Elena’s future also ease your mind about the bills you could call Ethan. Sit down with him and talk about Elena, specifically.”

“Didn’t you hear what I told you?” I interrupted, my voice tight. “Ethan said I couldn’t return once I left, and I don’t want to return anyway. I won’t.”

“Relax,” she said, her tone calm but firm. “Even if you told me right now that you wanted to go back to Ethan, I wouldn’t agree. You’re not going back, Lauren. That chapter is closed. But Elena… she could still go back there, at least for now.”

“Tessa, that’s even worse,” I exclaimed, my voice cracking slightly. “Why would I send my daughter to live in that house all alone, surrounded by him and her?” My hands tightened around the edge of the counter as the idea settled uncomfortably in my chest.

“Because we’ve seen that Ethan cares about Elena – even if he’s a terrible husband,” Tessa argued gently.

“The same man who couldn’t bother to show up for her birthday multiple times?” My words cut through the air like shards of glass.

“And don’t you think that guilt is eating him alive?” she shot back. “Maybe now, he’ll want to make up for it. And how does a man like Ethan do that? By trying to spend as much time as he can with his daughter.”

“I can’t believe you’re even suggesting this,” I whispered, the irritation mixing with something else – fear. Fear that she was right, and fear of what it might mean.

CHAPTER 026

+35 BONUS

I turned away, unable to look at her, and walked over to the kitchen sink. My hands trembled as I reached for a glass and filled it with water. The tap water rushed noisily, masking the pounding of my heart in my ears. As I brought the glass to my lips, my reflection in the kitchen window stared back at me,

“Yes, you can’t believe I’m saying this because you’re in an angry state right now,” Tessa’s voice was softer than before, but steady. “So you might think I’m taking Ethan’s side. No, I’m not. I’m just trying to make you see a way through this. Being a single mom in this city isn’t an easy job, especially when you need to keep up with the expenses Elena is used to. Even beyond that, we need someone to be with her when she gets back from school. We can’t even consider a maid now when we have other bills crushing both your neck and mine.”

Her words sank into the silence that stretched between us. I pinched the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes for a moment. This was the second time she’d brought this up, and no matter how badly I wanted to argue, deep down I knew she had a point. And that truth stung even more.

“Besides,” Tessa continued, gently but firmly, “even when Ethan isn’t around to take care of Elena himself, Rosa is still there. She practically raised Elena. She loves her like her own granddaughter. At least with Rosa there, Elena wouldn’t really feel alone.”

A sigh slipped from my lips, heavy and tired. “I don’t know about this idea, Tess,” I said quietly, my voice shaking a little. “Something about it feels wrong.”

“Of course it feels wrong,” she replied quickly. “You’re about to leave your daughter in the care of the man who cheated on you, the same man who broke your trust. It’s only natural for it to feel wrong. But think about it, Lauren: if you truly love Elena…”

I raised my head, interrupting her. “What do you mean by if I truly love Elena?” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t help it.

She didn’t flinch. “I mean that sometimes love isn’t about what feels good to us. It’s about what’s best for her,” she said. “This wouldn’t ruin her childhood. For now, she’d still believe that her parents care for her. And once you’ve gotten back on your feet – when you’ve found a job and some stability – you can change things. For now, it buys you time and keeps her life from being turned upside down all at once.”

—

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify