Game Over No Second Chances novel Chapter 29

CHAPTER 029

CHAPTER 029

LAUREN’S POV

+35 BONUS

It had already been thirty minutes since I opened my eyes, yet I still lay there motionless, staring up at the ceiling like it could somehow give me the strength I lacked. It wasn’t laziness that kept me in bed – it was the heaviness pressing down on my chest, the silent battle raging inside my mind. Today wasn’t just any ordinary day. Today was Friday, the day everything felt so real and so painfully different.

Today, Elena would be leaving to spend the rest of the week at Ethan’s house. The thought alone squeezed my heart in a way I couldn’t describe. I tried to convince myself that it was only temporary, that she’d be back by Monday. But deep down, the fear lingered – fear of what she might hear, fear of what she might start believing, and fear of slowly losing the closeness we shared.

And on top of that, today was also the day I’d begin the exhausting journey of job hunting. The thought of stepping into offices, handing out resumes, trying to sound confident when inside I felt like everything was falling apart — it drained me before I even got up.

I blinked once. Then twice. Then again. The ceiling stayed the same dull color, but my thoughts kept spinning, pulling me deeper into worry.

If it were just another day, maybe I would have stayed in bed longer, burying my face into the pillow, pretending I didn’t have responsibilities waiting for me. But this wasn’t my house anymore. This wasn’t the large master bedroom that Ethan and I once shared, with its tall windows and warm morning light. Here, it was different — more cramped, more temporary, and I had to respect that.

A small sound finally pulled me back to the present. Elena had just finished showering. She stepped out of the bathroom, her tiny body wrapped in a towel that was obviously too big for her. It almost swallowed her whole, trailing along the floor with every step she took. The sight nearly made me laugh, a real laugh I hadn’t felt in days.

I let out a soft sigh, trying to push away the heaviness in my chest, and sat up on the bed. Elena’s eyes found mine, and I silently motioned for her to come closer. She hesitated for just a moment, then shuffled over, holding the towel tightly around her like a little protective shell.

She was already five years old. Old enough, I told myself, to start learning certain things for herself. A few days ago, back at Ethan’s house, Rosa had always been the one to bathe her- patiently making sure every inch of her was clean. But Rosa wasn’t here anymore. It was time Elena started to do this on her own.

Earlier, before she stepped into the shower, I had explained to her what to do. I turned on the water, handed her the soap, and then stepped back, letting her figure it out by herself. Watching her close the glass door behind her felt like a strange goodbye to another small piece of her babyhood.

Now, as she stood in front of me, I gently pulled her closer and carefully sniffed around her hairline, her neck, her small arms. It felt silly, but it was something Rosa used to do, and it always made Elena giggle.

She smelled fresh, like soap and warm water, and my heart swelled with pride. “Good girl,” I whispered, dragging her cheeks gently between my fingers until she squealed in protest. “From now on, you’re going to be bathing yourself, okay?”

Elena nodded, her big eyes wide and proud, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else. Just seeing her

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CHAPTER 029

+35 BONUS

excitement, that spark of independence, made my chest feel lighter- just for a heartbeat.

The sound of a horn snapped my attention back to the present. I got up from the edge of the bed, the mattress creaking slightly under my weight, and walked over to the window. Through the curtain, I caught sight of a familiar black sedan parked just outside. Standing beside the open back door was Ethan’s driver, arms folded neatly in front of him, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses.

I rolled my eyes, exhaling a long breath as I pressed my palm lightly against the window. Of course, he was here to pick up Elena. The sight shouldn’t have surprised me, but it still stirred something sour in my chest – a reminder of everything that had changed so quickly.

Turning back into the room, I walked over to Elena’s little pink luggage. The zipper felt stiff as I tugged it open, revealing the few neatly folded clothes inside. My fingers paused over a frilly dress that she loved but I thought twice about it. Instead, I pulled out something more practical – a simple but cute outfit she could wear both to school and to Ethan’s house. I smoothed the fabric gently before helping her into it.

She looked so small standing there, her hair still slightly damp from the shower, eyes bright yet unaware of how much was shifting around her. I knelt down to her level, brushing an imaginary strand of hair off her forehead. ” Alright, you’re all set to go,” I told her softly, trying to keep my voice steady. “Remember, you’re a strong woman, okay? Don’t let anyone tell you lies. I’ll see you in a few days, give me a hug.”

Elena wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, and I closed my eyes, breathing in the faint scent of her shampoo. For a few seconds, the world felt calm, almost normal, and I wished with everything in me that I could freeze that moment forever. But reality was impatient, and the sharp blare of the car horn broke the silence once again.

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered under my breath, my words barely above a whisper, not wanting her to hear the frustration lacing my tone.

Elena picked up her small school bag, its bright pink straps almost comically large on her shoulders. I took her by her tiny hand, feeling how fragile yet determined it felt in mine, and led her outside toward the waiting car.

The driver didn’t even bother to greet me. No bow, no polite nod. Nothing. Once upon a time, back when I was still his boss, he wouldn’t so much as blink without showing respect. But now, to him, I was nothing more than a discarded chapter of a story that had moved on without me. The quiet humiliation stung more than I cared to admit.

He opened the back door, and Elena turned to give me a bright smile and a little wave before hopping in. I forced a smile back, trying not to let her see the sadness behind it. Then, without a word or a glance in my direction, the driver stepped into the front seat, the car’s door closing with a dull finality. In a heartbeat, the black sedan pulled away, carrying my daughter and leaving a trail of exhaust and silence behind.

I stood there on the curb, arms crossed over my chest, watching until the car turned the corner and vanished from sight. Even after it was gone, I kept staring at the empty road, feeling like a part of me had just been driven

away too.

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