The Villains Must Win
Chapter 209: No Second Chances 9

Chapter 209: No Second Chances 9

In this world, emotional outbursts could be fatal. Words could be traps. Reactions could mark the end of you as she experienced the first time.

No.

Lina wouldn’t make that mistake again.

Lina stood up, walked to the study desk, and opened one of the drawers. She found a blank notebook, the pages crisp and unmarked—a perfect starting point.

She sat down and began writing, her pen scratching lightly as she documented every name she remembered from this world so far.

Known characters, possible roles, unclear relationships, mysterious motives. She made notes on behavior patterns, emotional triggers, danger signs. Every detail mattered.

This wasn’t just survival anymore.

This was a campaign.

A long, strategic war.

And Lina wasn’t just playing to win.

She was playing to rewrite the ending, and make the villain win, whoever he or she was.

=== ===

The sun cast a golden hue over the exclusive village’s manicured lawns and pristine facades as Christian guided Lina through the gated entrance.

He had been unusually enthusiastic about this outing, insisting it was a surprise.

"I thought we could look at some properties today," he said, his tone light. "You’ve been through a lot, and I want you to have a place that’s truly yours."

Lina managed a small smile, her emotions a tangled web of hope and skepticism. The idea of a fresh start, a space to call her own, was appealing.

They pulled up to a modern two-story house, its architecture sleek and inviting. A real estate agent greeted them, keys in hand, ready to showcase the property.

As they stepped inside, Lina took in the open floor plan, the abundance of natural light, and the minimalist design that spoke of tranquility.

For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine a life here—peaceful, independent, and free from the shadows of her past.

Her reverie was interrupted by the sound of heels clicking against the hardwood floor. Turning, she saw Stacey entering the house, her presence as commanding as ever.

She wore a form-fitting dress that accentuated the tiny bump on her belly, a smug smile playing on her lips.

"Christian, darling," Stacey cooed, approaching him with open arms. "I didn’t expect to see you here."

Christian’s face lit up as he embraced her, seemingly oblivious to Lina’s presence. "Stacey, what a surprise. What brings you here?"

"I heard about this property and thought it might be perfect for me and the baby," she replied, casting a glance at Lina. "It’s just so serene. And you must be Lina? Christian’s fling or I might say past time. Everyone is right, you really do look like me."

Lina stood frozen, her heart pounding. The house that moments ago felt like a sanctuary now felt like a stage for humiliation.

Lina looked over at Christian, eyes wide, searching for anything—an explanation, a denial, a flicker of remorse. Anything.

But Christian kept his mouth shut and sighed, dragging a hand down his face like he was the one who’d been wronged.

"Why don’t you go back in the car first, Lina?" he said quietly.

"Me?" Lina’s voice cracked. Her mouth fell open in disbelief. "You want me to go back to the car?"

"I’ll explain everything later," he said, avoiding her eyes. "But right now, Stacey is pregnant. It’s not good for her—or the baby—to be stressed."

There it was. The final blow. Lina blinked as her heart dropped in her chest, the world tilting just a little.

"Stressed?" she whispered, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "And what about me? You think I’m not stressed, Christian? I just had a miscarriage, or did you already forget that? And is that your baby she’s carrying? Is it yours?"

She wanted to believe it wasn’t. She needed him to say it wasn’t. To tell her she was overthinking it, that it was a misunderstanding—but he didn’t.

Christian pressed his lips into a thin, grim line. His silence said more than words ever could.

"Of course, it’s his," Stacey cut in smugly, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. She placed a possessive hand over her barely-there bump, flaunting it like a trophy. "Who else would it be but my fiancé?"

"Fiancé?" Lina echoed, the word knocking the breath out of her.

"That’s right," Stacey said with a sickeningly sweet smile. "We’re moving the wedding up. Can’t let our child be born out of wedlock, right?" She tilted her head. "And you—if I were you, I’d have the decency to leave. You’ve lingered in our lives long enough. I tolerated you because you were helping Christian cope back when I wasn’t around. But now I’m here. So you can go and—what was it? Oh, right. Vanish. Just like how Christian kept you hidden for so long."

"Enough, Stacey," Christian hissed, finally turning to her with eyes that flashed dangerously. "Don’t push it."

But Lina couldn’t unhear the rest. "You’re engaged," she repeated, her voice dull now. "And you were going to buy me a house? While planning a wedding with someone else? While you wanted me to abort our child but you’re going to have it on another woman?"

Christian winced, guilt flashing briefly across his face. "Lina, just get in the car. I’ll explain everything to you there. Please."

Lina stood frozen. Something inside her had cracked—not just her heart, but the illusion she’d been desperately trying to hold onto. The illusion that Christian might still choose her. That he hadn’t changed. That he cared.

But now she saw him for what he was—a coward who couldn’t even say the truth to her face.

She slowly turned toward the car, not because he told her to, but because she needed to breathe. Because if she didn’t walk away, she was going to break down in front of both of them.

And she refused to give them that satisfaction.

Once in the car, Lina wiped her fake tears and write every information in her notebook while waiting for Christian to finish his business with Stacey.

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