Game Over No Second Chances

Howard, Rachel, and Sarah hadn't been invited at all. Hugh wanted Serena to have the perfect birthday, and those cold-blooded snakes weren't part of the plan.

Not only had he excluded them from the guest list-he hadn't even bothered to tell them about the party.

Howard forced a stiff smile. "Nina is my biological daughter after all. It's not every day she gets to celebrate a birthday, you know?

"As her parents, how could we not show up? We asked an old friend for help getting onboard, but... without an invitation, we were escorted straight to Mr. Larson Senior."

Calvin gave a dry cough, then shot Hugh a chilly glance. "Not inviting your father- in-law to her birthday was your call. But now that the cruise has left the dock, we can't exactly toss anyone overboard. Handle it—but don't let the Larson family lose face."

With that, Calvin signaled to be wheeled back inside to rest.

Hugh understood perfectly.

Calvin didn't want a scandal, and he didn't want whispers about him disrespecting his in-laws, so he wanted Hugh to clean up quietly.

Hugh gave Howard a look sharp enough to cut glass. "I'll have someone find you

a place to stay. But don't let me catch you anywhere near Serena.

"If you ruin her mood... let's just say no one will notice a few missing people before we reach the island tonight."

With that, Hugh turned and walked away with a cold and dismissive presence.

All three of them felt a chill run through their bones. When Hugh threatened someone, he meant it.

Rachel clutched Howard's arm and said, "We just came to sniff out some business, not pick a fight. Didn't you hear him out there? He cursed out his own uncles in front of Mr. Larson Senior!"

"I'm not looking for trouble, I swear! But you'd better keep Sarah on a leash!" Howard nodded furiously, like a bobblehead on a bumpy road.

He'd always been afraid of Hugh. His knees were still shaking after what he'd just overheard at the door.

Hugh was like a venomous snake-he didn't care about anyone else. Unless their name was Calvin or Serena, it was a fair game.

Sarah, however, wasn't the type to stay quiet. The more Rachel told her to behave, the more irritated she got.

Why did Serena get a grand birthday celebration while she had to sneak onboard like a thief?

Fuming, she slipped away from

Howard and Rachel to wander onto the deck. The sky was painted in dusky purples, and couples danced under the string lights' warm glow.

She was looking for Cole when something caught her eye-balloons rising into

the twilight sky and ribbons bursting like fireworks around her.

At the center of the dance floor, Serena had just been pulled in by Hugh, looking startled.

"What's happening?" she asked.

"Happy birthday," Hugh said, spinning her gently as he held her hand.

The fading sunset wrapped around the drifting balloons, while streamers rained down like confetti. A champagne tower shimmered in the background. Birthday greetings and wishes echoed all around them.

A tiny calico kitten-just like Snuggle-was nestled on top of a beautiful cake, which was being wheeled toward her.

"Happy birthday, Ms. Jansen!" The crowd cheered in perfect unison, clearly in on the surprise.

Serena could feel her heart pounding

in her chest. Overwhelmed by the moment, she instinctively gripped Hugh's arm tightly, not even managing to ask how he'd managed all of this. noveldrama

Then Hugh pulled a silver crown with sapphire gemstones and gently placed it on her head.

"Happy birthday, Serena."

She blinked in surprise. The way he said her name—it was soft, like poetry. Like a gentle whisper just for her.

Not "Mrs. Larson" or "Ms. Jansen". Just Serena. They were like allies and friends.

While bathed in the sunset glow and surrounded by the birthday wishes, Serena forgot all about the cake knife in her hand.

She followed her heart and threw her arms around Hugh, holding him tightly, completely, without hesitation.