Game Over No Second Chances

Perhaps Hugh had been overthinking it back then. He thought that single rose might stir something in Serena's heart. He believed that if he took it slowly, he would eventually find a way into her heart.

It turned out he was still far from it.

They sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

The birthday party on the island had started in a lively bustle and ended in quiet calm. When they returned to Javerton City, the moment their feet touched solid ground, the soft sea breeze was replaced by the sharp gusts slicing through the concrete jungle.

Serena and Hugh returned to their homes in Crestview Bay.

After a few days apart, Snuggle meowed and clung to her affectionately. He rubbed against her legs and flopped over to show his belly.

"I'm so sorry, my adorable Snuggie. I was worried you'd get seasick, so I left you behind."

Serena didn't even bother closing the door. She scooped him right up and buried her face in his soft belly, taking a deep, contented sniff.

Snuggle let out a string of sweet, melodic mews as she buried her face in his fur. Outside the door, Hugh coldly stared at Snuggle. Great, he should never have helped Serena rescue that furball in the first place.

Serena sneezed as a puff of fur hit her face.

Hugh turned back and picked up the shedding kitten with one hand.

"Take him for a bath first. He has been running wild for days and is covered in dust."

Snuggle meowed like he was protesting. That wasn't dust, and that was his fur! He struggled with all four paws but couldn't escape. With Serena sneezing non stop, Hugh handed the cat off to Chandler to bathe him.

The soft meows faded into the distance. Serena's nose turned red from all the sneezing.

Hugh used the excuse of "too much fur in the air" to bring her over to his place to sit down.

Still sniffling, she followed him to his house. She quickly booked a cleaning service from her phone.

As soon as she sat down, she spotted a mess of documents spread across the coffee table. There were papers about various government grants and business support plans.

A soft hum of confusion escaped her.

"Have the government grant documents come through already?"

while we were on the

"They came in whil

island," Hugh replied as he shut the

door. "The Larson Group has its own

support plan. The government's

grants don't conflict with

it: If Amber

Group wants to get involved you can take a look at them."

Serena picked up the files and skimmed them, frowning slightly.

These were all policies aimed at supporting small businesses. Why had they ended up on Hugh's desk?

Before she could ask, he already knew what she was thinking. "They're for you."

She blinked in surprise before giving him a helpless smile. "You've

so much for me already. for me already. I don't even you anymore sŵnovel

know how to thank ene

"No need," Hugh replied, setting a glass of warm water in front of her. "Just being my wifes already a lot Besides, you once said we're not just allies. We're friends too. I don't mind

helping a little more."

It was blunt, but Serena liked that about him.noveldrama

She picked up the documents again, tilted her head thoughtfully, and asked,

"What if I said I wanted to start a new company?"

Hugh raised an eyebrow and sat down beside her. "Go on."

"My idea is..." Serena launched into her plans enthusiastically.

Hugh leaned lazily against the couch, listening closely.

By the time Snuggle returned from his bath, he found his bed had been moved to Hugh's apartment across the hall.

He scrambled into Serena's arms and glared at Hugh, letting out an endless stream of protest meows.

Hugh heartlessly tossed Snuggle into a guest room. He and Serena continued discussing business plans, and arranging details.

"Chandler, turn the guest room into a cat room for Snuggle."

Snuggle tried to protest. However, Serena was too excited about her business

plans and kept running to Hugh for guidance.

Over the next few days, only one living room light stayed on through the night at Crestview Bay's top floor.