Game Over No Second Chances

Calvin wouldn't have wanted Serena and Hugh to sleep in separate beds.

Serena tested the soft, plush little bed and admitted with a small grin, "So, I told him I tend to toss and turn at night. If we share a bed, I might accidentally wake you up, and then neither of us would get much sleep. After that, Grandpa agreed to let me have my own bed. He even told me to get some proper rest."

She figured Calvin had a soft spot for Hugh. Hugh was his favorite grandson, after all. If her bad sleeping habits disturbed the future head of the Larson family, Calvin would, of course, understand.

But Hugh, knowing Calvin all too well, immediately fell silent.

He could just imagine what Calvin had assumed that Serena got frisky at night and stirred up his desires, causing them to stay up. That was completely wrong, of

course.

Still, seeing Serena so pleased with her little bed made all of Hugh's earlier frustration melt away. As long as she was happy, that was enough.

His expression softened as he turned toward the bathroom. Just then, Serena remembered she had left her clothes inside.

"Wait a minute."

"Okay." Hugh nodded.

The moment Serena disappeared into the bathroom, her phone lit up with an incoming call from Howard.

Hugh frowned at the name.

Why was he calling so late? Couldn't he see that Serena needed rest?

Without hesitation, Hugh answered the call.

Howard's furious voice exploded through the phone. "Serena! Is this how you take care of Sarah? She's pregnant, and her future father-in-law won't even let her use the Larson family's maids-she has to move everything herself!

"And you, as her older sister, won't even lift a finger to help? Since you can't argue with Eric, fine. Just get in there and help her move! If anything happens to her, I swear..."

Hugh's expression turned to ice.

From inside the bathroom, Serena heard the raised voice and stepped back out. She hadn't caught Howard's words, but she did hear Hugh's cold response.

"Mr. Jansen, it sounds like you have quite a few grievances about my wife and my brother. In that case, why leave your youngest daughter in our home at all? I'll have someone send Sarah back to you right now. You can take care of her yourself."

On the other end of the line, Howard nearly leaped out of bed.

Wait... Wasn't this Serena's phone? Why the hell was Hugh answering?

He scrambled to backpedal.

"N-No, I didn't mean it that way! I'd never say anything bad about Nina or the Larson family. I-I was just... too worried about Sarah and her baby. I lost my temper. I swear, I didn't mean anything by it"

"If that's so," Hugh cut in flatly, "then follow my brother's rules."

And with that, he hung up.

Silence returned.

Serena had settled herself on the edge of the small bed with her arms wrapped around her clothes. She glanced up at him and asked, "Did

you get yelled at?" Co

belongs

Hugh frowned. "Is he always that aggressive when he calls you?"

"Pretty much. But this time, since you answered, it was like he ran headfirst into a wall."

She tossed her clothes by the pillow, curled up with a soft brown teddy bear, and sank into the bed like she was melting into clouds.

Her eyes twinkled as she looked at him. "That's so satisfying. I'm finally going to get a good night's sleep."

Hugh watched the way her smile lit up her face. He handed her phone back gently.

"I answered without asking. Sorry."

"No biggie. I brought you back here to rest without asking, too. Let's call it even."

Serena took the phone and

stretched lazily. She glanced at the

clock on

On the wall and yawned. Go

shower and get to bed. There's not much time left for sleep."

"Okay." Hugh nodded and switched on the nightlight before heading for the bathroom.

Just before he stepped inside, he looked back at the sight of Serena dozing off in

the little bed and couldn't help but smile.noveldrama

She was getting used to having him around. That could only mean one thing— they were heading in the right direction.