No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 128

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LAUREN’S POV

“Mummy,” I heard Aria’s soft voice call out, her little footsteps padding across the tiled floor toward the kitchen where I was standing over the stove, turning the eggs in the pan.

“Yes?” I asked, though my eyes stayed on the frying pan, making sure the edges didn’t burn.

She didn’t respond immediately. I noticed her raise her hand, holding something that looked like a folded paper.

I glanced at her briefly, eyebrows knitting. “Is that your homework?”

“No,” she replied simply, her head shaking.

Her voice had that calm, serious tone she used whenever she was about to show me something she didn’t understand.

The eggs were done, their edges perfectly golden. I turned off the cooker and set the pan aside before wiping my hands on a towel. Whatever this was, it had to be important enough for her to bring it up right after waking up.

“Come on, sweetie,” I said softly, taking her small hand in mine as I led her out of the kitchen and into the living room. The smell of breakfast followed us but my mind was already shifting toward the paper she held.

I sat beside her on the couch and took the paper from her, my eyes scanning over the neat school header printed across the top.

It was from her class teacher.

Apparently, the school was running some sort of family ancestry program. Every student was expected to do a DNA ancestry test and bring the results to class next week. Aria was supposed to get hers done too.

I blinked at the paper, disbelief crawling up my spine.

A DNA test? For a five–year–old?

My brows drew together tightly. Who on earth thought this was a good idea? What kind of school asks for something like this?

Before I could process it fully, I heard movement behind me, soft footsteps dragging lazily toward the kitchen. Tessa

She’d come home late last night, barely awake when she stumbled into her room, and now she was standing there in one of her oversized shirts, hair messy and half tied up. She yawned and opened the fridge before pulling out a loaf of bread.

“Hey, Tess,” I called, still staring at the paper in disbelief. “Can you believe Aria’s teacher asked that we run a DNA ancestry test on her and bring it on Monday?”

Tessa’s brows lifted as she reached for a plate. “Yeah, I’ve heard of that,” she said casually. “My last boyfriend’s little sister had to do hers last month. I think it’s called Family Heritage Week or something.”

I turned to look at her fully, my mouth parting slightly. “Since when did schools here start doing that sort of thing? This is the first time I’m hearing of it. Back in Italy, no school ever did anything like this and even before I left for Italy, none here were doing it either.”

Tessa shrugged, her mouth already full of bread and eggs. “You know, that was almost six years ago. I guess some schools have improved.”

“Improved?” I repeated, my tone sharper than I meant it to be. “How is asking a five–year–old to take a DNA test an improvement?”

She lifted her shoulders again, unbothered. “I don’t know, maybe it’s just for fun or a school project or something. It’s better to just get it done rather than have her principal call you up later.”

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CHAPTER 6128

+25 BONUS

Her words were logical, but they didn’t make it sit any easier in my chest.

I frowned at the paper again. “Why is this even necessary? Did someone just sit down and decide it was a great idea to collect everyone’s ancestry for fun?”

Tessa chuckled under her breath. “You worry too much. It’s probably harmless.”

I wanted to believe that, but I couldn’t shake the unease forming in my stomach. A DNA test wasn’t like a drawing assignment or a class project. It meant giving out real information–information that belonged to Aria, personal and private.

But at the same time, what choice did I have? If I refused, Aria would be the only one without a result to turn in. The teacher would probably call, and then the principal, and before I knew it, people would start assuming I couldn’t afford the test.

And that kind of judgment, I didn’t want it anywhere near my daughter.

I let out a small sigh and folded the paper neatly. “Aria,” I said, turning to where she stood patiently near the couch, still in her pajamas. “Go get dressed, we’re going to the hospital.”

Her face lit up, like she’d just been told we were going somewhere fun, and she nodded quickly before running off to her room. Tessa followed after her, calling out, “Come on, kiddo, let’s get you dressed properly. We’re not stepping out looking like we just woke up.”

Their voices drifted down the hallway. Aria’s cheerful giggles mixed with Tessa’s teasing instructions. I stayed where I was for a moment, staring at the folded paper in my hands.

A part of me wanted to call Aria’s teacher and ask what exactly they planned to do with this test, but I stopped myself. What if I was the only parent questioning it? Then I’d just come across as paranoid or worse

That thought alone made me feel smaller than I wanted to admit.

By the time Tessa and Aria came back into the living room, I had already slipped on my hoodie and tossed my hair into a messy bun. My legs ached from wearing heels all week at work, so I didn’t even bother with anything fancy, just slippers and comfort. Tessa was crouched down, helping Aria fasten her tiny shoes. “There,” she said, smiling. “You’re all set”

“Perfect,” I said softly. “Let’s go.”

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