Game Over No Second Chances

Serena cherished and adored—was the rare exception to the rule.

Calvin's eyes were half-lidded with exhaustion as he muttered, "I'm tired, Eric.

Take me back to the nursing home."

"Yes, Grandpa." Eric shot Sarah a cold glance before wheeling Calvin away.

As Calvin exited, the rest of the guests quietly dispersed.

This was already the second engagement party. Sarah was heavily pregnant and

had just been publicly rebuked by Calvin himself. It was clear the Larson family

didn't care for her at all.

No one saw any point in sticking around. In mere moments, what was meant to be

a grand celebration had completely unraveled.

Eric and Melissa, already expecting things to fall apart, calmly left after instructing

Cole to keep Sarah in check.

The once-bustling banquet hall now felt cold and empty.

Cole's expression matched the chill in the room. "The driver's waiting downstairs. I

have to go back to the office. I don't have time to take you home."

"But it's our engagement day... You're really not staying with me tonight?" Sarah

clutched at his sleeve with pleading eyes.

Cole turned, and his eyes drifted to her belly. "And what exactly do you expect me

to do with you tonight?"

Her whole body trembled. The baby wasn't even stable yet. Even if he stayed,

they couldn't do anything.

Her lips trembled with frustration. "Can't you stay... just to be with me?"

"We'll talk later," he said, already walking away. He was cold and distant, not even

sparing her a backward glance.

True to his word, she heard nothing from him that night. Instead, it was his

assistant who texted her.

"Mr. Cole is still working late. Please rest early."

Alone in the big, empty room, Sarah could only cry in silence.

Why was everything so perfect for Serena after marrying into the Larson family,

while she was met with nothing but disdain?

She covered her face in frustration

and opened her social feed, hoping

to relive the fleeting moment when

she had been the center of attention.

Instead, she saw two of her closest

friends making plans for afternoon

tea at Sky Terrace the next day.

Perched high above the city, Sky Terrace offered panoramic views and elegant

desserts. It was the kind of place made for photos and for showing off.

And now, with her new status as Mrs. Larson, she didn't even need a reservation.

The idea sparked in her mind. Should she surprise them—and flaunt her

privileges as "Mrs. Larson" a little?

She secretly booked the table next to theirs and cheerfully began picking out her

outfit for tomorrow.

But tomorrow could wait. Tonight, she still had a score to settle.

Seething, she composed a lengthy

message to Howard, exaggerating

every detail—claiming Serena was

turning the Larson family against

her, saying she refused to come to

the engagement party and even

dragged Calvin away in the middlenoveldrama

of it.

In the dead of night, Howard jolted upright in rage and called Serena on the spot.

"Why the hell didn't you go to Sarah's engagement party? I want you back here

tomorrow. I'll ask you myself what the hell's going on!"

Serena was jolted awake but was still half-asleep. Before she could respond, the

call ended with a sharp click.

Beside her, Snuggle stirred. She twitched her ears, then curled deeper into her

arms with a low, sleepy purr.

Serena ran a hand through her

messy hair and mumbled groggily,

"They didn't even show up as her

parents... Why is it such a big deal

that I didn't either? Seriously, they

lose their minds over something

every single day."