No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 144

CHAPTER 0144

LAUREN’S POV

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It felt like we were staring at each other for hours, though it might have only been a few seconds. Time seemed to stretch, holding both of us in that quiet tension. Roman’s gaze was steady and I could feel it pulling at something inside me I didn’t want to acknowledge. His eyes were dark, sharp, and yet strangely soft in that moment, as though he was looking past my face, past my defenses, into something deeper.

I swallowed, my heart beating a little too fast. Why did he have to look at me like that? There was a kind of intensity in his eyes, the kind that made me feel both exposed and… wanted. It made my stomach twist. My mind betrayed me by flashing to the dream I’d had about him, the one where he was shirtless, standing close enough that I could almost feel the warmth of his skin. That image burned into my thoughts like an unwelcome spark, and I quickly blinked it away, trying to ground myself in reality.

But he was still looking at me. Still watching.

Then a small sound broke the silence – a deliberate clearing of the throat.

I blinked, startled back to the present as both our heads turned toward the sound.

“Don’t mind me,” Tessa said, strolling lazily out of the hallway and toward the kitchen. Her tone was casual, but the knowing smile on her face was anything but innocent. “I’m just going over to get some water.”

I sighed quietly as she brushed past, but not before flashing me a grin that said I saw everything. I wanted to roll my eyes, but my body was too tense, too aware of how close Roman was still standing.

The air between us felt thick, almost heavy now. I needed to move, to do something, to breathe. I stepped back, creating space between us. “I…uh… I should probably check on…”

But I didn’t even finish. My thoughts felt scrambled.

If I told him to leave, would he even listen? Probably not. He had that kind of stubbornness that made it impossible to push him away when he decided he wanted something. And lately, I wasn’t sure what that ” something” was. He had this way of showing up uninvited lately, slipping past every wall I tried to build between us, using the excuse that he was my boss as a kind of shield.

And just as I was thinking that, soft footsteps echoed from down the hallway.

Aria.

She appeared, rubbing her sleepy eyes, her hair a small mess around her face. The instant she spotted Roman standing beside me, her drowsiness vanished. Her eyes lit up, and before I could say a word, she rushed toward

him.

“Hey there, little one,” Roman said, crouching just in time to catch her in his arms. “How are you doing today?”

She laughed, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. “I’m good! You came again, just like you said you

would.”

I stood there, frozen for a second.

CHAPTER 0144

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She saw me too, but the first person she ran to was him. That used to be my moment every morning, the sleepy hug, the quiet smile, the warm “good morning, Mommy.”

Now she was looking at him like he was her favorite person in the world.

I forced a small smile even though it stung more than I cared to admit.

“Of course I would,” Roman said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “And that wasn’t the only thing I remembered. I didn’t forget about the gift I promised you.” He gently tapped the tip of her nose, making her giggle.

I crossed my arms. “And what gift did you promise her exactly?”

Roman looked up at me, that faint smirk on his lips. “That’s between the both of us to know, Lauren.” His tone was teasing, but there was a glint in his eyes that made my skin prickle.

“Hmm,” I muttered, turning away. “I see. Well, it’s obvious I’m no longer welcome here, so…” I looked toward Aria, who was beaming beside him. “Why don’t you keep our guest company while I freshen up? Then you can get ready for school.”

Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked toward the kitchen.

I needed a moment.

When I stepped into the kitchen, I froze.

Tessa was still there, leaning against the counter with that same amused look plastered across her face. I had assumed she’d gone back to her room after her “water” mission, but apparently not.

“You’re still here?” I asked flatly.

She tilted her head, her grin widening. “See what I’m saying?”

Before I could even ask what she meant, she suddenly reached over and tickled my ribs. I yelped, bursting into laughter before I could stop myself.

“Alright, alright! Stop, Tessa!” I said between laughs, trying to push her away.

She laughed too, clearly enjoying herself. “I knew it! There’s still chemistry between you two.”

I leaned against the shelf, trying to catch my breath. My chest was still shaking from laughter, and for a second, it felt… nice. I hadn’t laughed like that in so long, I almost forgot what it felt like.

“Tessa,” I said, still breathless, “there’s no chem…”

“Don’t even say it,” she cut me off immediately, waving her hand. “Don’t try to deny what I just saw out there. You guys almost kissed!”

I straightened, my smile fading. “We didn’t, okay? You’re exaggerating. And how is that even what you’re thinking about right now? He’s literally in our house, uninvited, at an early hour of the morning.”

She just shrugged, her grin turning sly. “Well, maybe he couldn’t stay away from you. That’s why he came

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CHAPTER 0144

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again.”

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