Game Over No Second Chances

Cole remained silent.

The paper in his hand felt heavier than it should have. He wanted to shred the damned report right there on the spot.

He did want a child, but not like this. Not with Sarah. Not with this foolish, manipulative woman.

As Melissa's shrill accusations rang in his ears, his irritation only grew.

Melissa was so loud. And Sarah? She was worse.

He crumpled the report in his hand, his fingers curling tighter.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Serena. She stood calmly beside the bed.

While Melissa was in a rage and Rachel hovered over Sarah in motherly panic, Serena was talking to the doctor.

"How's her condition? Is the baby safe? And the mother?"

The doctor let out a small sigh of appreciation.

"If only all the family members were this attentive. Both the mother and child are stable and healthy. She's just experiencing a bit of alcohol intolerance, likely made worse by the chilly night air. That's why she fainted..."

The doctor continued speaking.

Serena simply listened, nodding occasionally, her expression composed. Then, halfway through, she glanced toward Cole-only to find him staring straight at her.

Startled, Serena's eyes widened a fraction.

Why was he looking at her like that? He was the one getting chewed out, not her. Feeling unsettled, she quickly turned back to the doctor.

She wasn't heartless-she had never been. Even if she and Sarah were at odds, she never wanted anything as cruel as a mother and child dying together.

Asking about their condition was just common decency. It was something a normal human being would do.

But Cole's gaze on her grew deeper. This, he thought, was the kind of woman who should be the mother of his child.noveldrama

Serena was composed and principled. She was someone who saw the bigger picture. She wasn't loud, manipulative, or calculating.

He wanted someone who would quietly put a tie clip on him before a meeting.

"Cole!" Sarah's voice broke through his thoughts. It was shrill, needy, and wet with tears.

Cole turned toward her.

Sarah looked delicate and fragile, crying prettily, her arms open toward him.

"The doctor says I can go home now. I've been feeling so insecure lately. Can you stay with me?"

"What? You want to come back to the Larson residence?" Melissa's eyes widened in alarm—finally understanding what Sarah was playing at.

Normally, she and Eric stayed in a downtown apartment. Cole had kis own place too. But lately, with Calvin recovering from illness, they had been living at the family residence to keep an eye on things.

If Sarah moved in under the excuse of needing Cole-pregnant and fragile-it would put her right under Calvin's nose.

What if he found out about the baby? Then, she wouldn't be able to get rid of this useless daughter-in-law anymore.

Melissa clenched her jaw so hard her molars ached.

"No." Her voice was firm. "Mr. Larson Senior is still recovering. We can't have a newly pregnant woman disturbing his rest. What if something happens?"

"But....." Sarah touched her still-flat stomach with one hand, holding Rachel's phone in the other. "I already messaged Great-Grandpa."

Her voice was gentle, almost pitiful. "I thought he might be really happy to hear the news since he's getting older."

She didn't look at anyone, just pressed her sweaty palm into Rachel's.

It was a risky move-informing first and asking later. But it was one worth taking.

In the worst case, she'd anger

Melissa and her husband. But if

Calvin heard she was carrying his great-grandchild, the marriage would be set in stone, and the baby would be the heir. '

Melissa's fury exploded.

"You little wretch!" she spat, stepping forward with her purse in hand and fury blazing in her eyes. "How dare you play tricks like this on me? You scheming little-"

She raised her bag high into the air, ready to strike.