No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 136

CASSANDRA’S POV

I got down from my Uber, the sound of the car door clicking shut echoing faintly behind me. I paid the driver through the app, slipping my phone back into my purse as the vehicle pulled away into traffic. A gust of warm evening air brushed against my face, carrying the faint scent of roasted coffee beans from the café ahead.

For a moment, I just stood there on the sidewalk, staring at the building in front of the. The café looked far too rich for my standards – sleek glass walls, polished wooden panels, and golden lettering that screamed luxury. Even the people stepping in and out looked like they belonged to a different world suits, pearls, perfume worth more than my entire paycheck.

On my own, I could never afford to come here. I would’ve felt completely out of place if I were just wandering in by myself. But i wasn’t coming here alone today. Sofia had invited me yesterday, and against my usual judgment, I’d agreed

Ever since we started talking after the company anniversary, we’d somehow become good friends. It was almost strange how quickly it happened like we’d known each other for years. We discovered we shared so many similarities the same taste in colors, the same kind of music, even the same ridiculous craving for spicy noodles.

But that wasn’t what bound us the most. No, the true gas that fueled our friendship was far more… toxic, our shared hatred for that woman. The one who had taken everything that should’ve been mine. The one walking around the office as though she

owned it.

Lauren.

Almost every single day at work, I watched her stroll into Mr. Hale’s office with that smug air of confidence, pretending like her success was purely the result of hard work. She fooled everyone into believing that the boss always called for her because she was the best. Please. Everyone in that building knew exactly how she secured her position and it had nothing to do with professionalism.

And as for Mr. Hale? He was no saint either. He was just as guilty for falling for her tricks. For sleeping with her. For making her untouchable while people like me were left to clean up the mess.

I clenched my jaw and exhaled slowly. I shouldn’t be thinking about that now. I came here for a reason, to meet Sofia and discuss our plans.

Straightening my blouse, I pushed open the glass door of the café. A cool wave of air–conditioning hit my face immediately, refreshing but also startling after the heat outside. The interior smelled of pastries, and freshly ground coffee. My heels clicked softly against the floor as I stepped further inside.

It didn’t take long to find her. Sofia was seated at the far end of the café, facing the large windows, her long hair tied neatly behind her. She spotted me quickly and gave a small wave, her lips curving into that familiar knowing smile.

I walked over, my eyes flicking briefly to the other customers – couples, students with laptops, businessmen sipping espresso before focusing on her again. I was almost at her table when she stood up and wrapped me in a light hug.

“Glad you could make it,” she said warmly as we both sat down.

I placed my bag on the seat beside me and gave a faint sigh. “You know I’m late, right? We agreed on five. Look at the time.” I gestured toward the clock hanging on the café wall. “But I’m sure you already know the reason.”

Sofia tilted her head slightly, smirking. “Your boss?”

“Who else?” I groaned, running a hand over my face. “These past few days, she’s really been getting on my nerves.”

Sofia raised a brow. “How’s that?”

“At first,” I began, leaning forward, “I was actually grateful when she offered me the secretary job. I needed the money – my rent, bills, all that especially after I was denied the position that should’ve been mine in the first place. But lately…” I shook my

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CHAPTER 0130

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head. “It’s like she’s going out of her way to please Lauren. Everything revolves around her. She can do no wrong.”

My voice grew sharper without meaning to, but I didn’t care.

“She’s started dragging me into it too. Ordering me to carry Lauren’s bag, arrange her office, get her a glass of water. Can you imagine that? Me, serving that woman? The same woman who cost me my career.”

I caught myself, realizing I was raising my voice in a public place. I glanced around quickly, noticing a few customers had turned their heads. Lowering my tone, I leaned closer. “Sorry. It just… gets under my skin.”

Sofia’s expression didn’t change much, she just sipped from her drink slowly, her eyes steady on mine. “So what do you plan to do about it?” she asked after a short pause.

“That’s the part that’s driving me insane, Sofia,” I muttered. “I can’t do anything. If I fight back, I’ll lose my job. And I really need this job. I even tried talking to my boss once, but she barely listened. She brushed me off, too busy thinking of new ways to impress Lauren. When I said I didn’t want to do things for her, she looked at me like I was the problem.”

The waiter arrived just then, placing my glass on the table – iced caramel macchiatos, my favorite. Once he left, I continued, bitterness rising in my chest.

“And I can’t even think about going to Mr. Hale for help,” I said. “He’s completely under her spell. Am sure whatever she says, he does. They all see me as some worthless assistant who doesn’t deserve an opinion.”

Sofia stirred her drink lazily, the ice clinking against the glass. Then she looked up at me with a faint smirk. “Then why not just make your own choice?”

I blinked, a bit confused. “What do you mean?”

Before she could answer, her phone began to vibrate on the table. I glanced down without thinking the name flashing on the

screen.

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