No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 119

LAUREN’S POV

Let me get this straight, he called me into his office, first thing in the morning, just to tell me he knows the truth? And somehow, I’m supposed to magically understand what he’s talking about?

I blinked at Roman, sitting there behind his desk, his eyes fixed on me like he was waiting for something. My brows furrowed slightly, confusion twisting inside my chest.

What truth? What in the world is he even talking about?

I tried to read his face, but as usual, Roman’s expression was perfectly composed calm, collected, and annoyingly unreadable. He didn’t even flinch.

“I’m sorry,” I finally said, trying to keep my tone polite though my patience was already thinning. “What did you say?”

His

gaze didn’t waver. “You heard me right,” he repeated slowly, his voice low, steady, and maddeningly confident. “I said I know the truth. Your truth.”

Okay, great. So I didn’t mishear him the first time. But what exactly did he mean by my truth?

I blinked again, my lips parting slightly in disbelief. There was no explanation, no hint, just that I know your truth. What was I supposed to do with that?

Was this some kind of mind game? Or was he waiting for me to ask for more details like some kind of baited trap? People like him often loved dramatic pauses they enjoyed the power that came with leaving others hanging.

Fine, I told myself, if it’s a game he wants, then I’ll play it, just long enough to get this over with.

“Okay,” I said, folding my arms on my lap and leaning slightly forward. “What truth of mine do you know about, sir?”

That was all the invitation he needed. His lips curved into a small, knowing smile the kind that instantly told me. he had been waiting for me to ask first.

“Well,” he began, sitting upright from where he leaned on the edge of his desk. “Before I tell you this, I want you to know that I’m not mad, and I’m not going to fire you. In fact, this information won’t affect your position here in any way.”

He rested his palms on the desk, his tone soft but deliberate.

I raised an eyebrow. That… sounded serious.

Why would he start a conversation like that? Why did it sound like he was preparing me for something big?

A strange unease began to creep into my stomach.

Wait a second… could it be?

Was he about to tell me that he found out Aria was his child?

My heart stuttered at the thought. No, no, no that can’t be it. There was no way he could have found out that easily. I had been careful. Extremely careful.

Still, panic pricked at my chest, and I had to clear my throat to keep my voice steady.

“Okay,” I said, dragging the word out slowly, pretending to sound calm while my pulse raced in my ears.

He looked at me again, this time with a faint trace of hesitation like he was trying to decide how much to reveal.

“I know about you and…” he paused, letting the silence stretch long enough that I could practically hear my heartbeat pounding in my chest.

My palms grew damp. Why was he stopping there? Was he trying to build suspense on purpose? Because if he was, it was working and I hated that it was.

Finally, he exhaled. “Ethan’s failed marriage.”

I blinked.

For a split second, my brain froze. His words hung in the air, and I could almost see them echoing around the

room.

Then they finally settled in.

Wait. Did he just say he knows about Ethan and me?

“Look, I don’t know how we’re going to get this whole thing to…”

I stopped mid–sentence, realization washing over me in a rush.

He knows about the marriage. Not Aria. Just the marriage.

“Wait, what?” I said quickly, just to make sure I wasn’t misunderstanding him again.

He nodded, that same calm composure never leaving his face. “Yes,” he said evenly. “I know that you were once. married to Ethan Black. I found out yesterday.”

I just stared at him for a long second.

Then, slowly, I exhaled the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding

Oh, thank God.

Relief poured through me like cool water after a storm. My shoulders, tense for the past few minutes, finally relaxed. For a moment, I almost wanted to laugh, the kind of weak laugh you let out when you’ve just dodged a disaster.

All this time, I had been bracing myself, thinking; he had discovered something far worse. I was ready to argue, to fight for my daughter if he so much as implied taking her away but no, he was just talking about my past.

“Oh,” I said finally, my tone lighter now. “That’s what you wanted to tell me.”

2/4

Roman tilted his head slightly, studying me. His eyes narrowed just a little. “Did you… expect me to say something else?” he asked, his curiosity obvious now.

My mind scrambled. He’s suspicious.

I forced myself to smile faintly, even though my heart was still fluttering from the scare. “No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “That’s it. That’s what I thought.!

He hummed softly, like he didn’t quite believe me. His gaze lingered on my face, almost as if he were searching for cracks in my expression.

Then, after a few seconds of silence, he said something that made the air in the room change again.

“That’s not all I know about, though.”

My breath caught.

Of course. Of course, he couldn’t just stop there..

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