No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 149

149

CHAPTER 0149

+25 BONUS

“I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, trying to sound as convincing as possible, but even as the words left my lips, they felt heavy and false. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could feel the walls closing in. Inside, a knot of panic twisted and coiled, because deep down, I knew what this was about. I had been dreading this moment.

Roman’s gaze was steady. He wasn’t buying it, and the calmness in his tone only made it worse.

“Just tell me what you want to say,” I added quickly, hoping that my voice didn’t shake as much as it felt like it did.

“Okay,” he said, leaning slightly forward, “I’ll go straight to the point.” He paused for a moment, his eyes searching mine. “I know that Aria is my daughter.”

The air was sucked out of my lungs.

It was as if someone had swung a hammer straight at my heart. The sound of the restaurant faded, even though there wasn’t much noise to begin with. All I could hear was the faint ringing in my ears. My fingers tightened around the edge of the table as I tried to process his words. I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes for a moment, trying to keep my expression neutral, but it was already too late.

I didn’t have to say a word.

“Judging from your reaction, I’m pretty sure I’m correct,” he added quietly, his tone steady but laced with something I couldn’t fully read – anger? Disappointment? Maybe both.

I opened my mouth but no words came out. I had always known this day would come. I’d promised myself and Tessa, too that if he ever found out, I wouldn’t lie. Denial would only make things worse. Still, knowing that and actually facing it were two entirely different things.

I let out a small, shaky sigh and reached for the glass of water in front of me. My throat was dry, my palms slightly trembling. I gulped down the water, more for the distraction than the thirst. I didn’t even know where to start, or what to say that could possibly make any of this better.

“I have so many questions I want to ask right now,” he said after a moment, his voice calm but firm. “But I’m going to start with this, were you planning on telling me?”

My gaze fell to the glass on the table again. I couldn’t meet his eyes. Guilt crept into my chest, thick and suffocating. There was something unbearable about seeing disappointment on his face.

“To be honest… no,” I said softly, the words coming out barely above a whisper. I knew how blunt it sounded, but there was no point sugarcoating the truth.

“Why?” His tone wasn’t angry, not yet just confused, almost hurt. “Did I do something wrong?”

I looked up at him then, meeting his eyes for a brief moment before looking away again. “We had a one–night stand, Roman,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I didn’t know anything about you, and the next thing I found out is that you’re my boss. How do you expect me to react?”

1/3

CHAPTER 0149

+25 BONUS

He exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. “You could have told me, Lauren. I would have listened. I’m not like those guys who would’ve pushed you away or accused you of trying to trap them. I would have taken responsibility for it.”

A part of me wanted to believe that. A part of me did. But the other part, the one scarred by betrayal, the one that still remembered Ethan’s lies and manipulation refused to take that risk.

“Well, it wasn’t all my fault,” I said after a moment, my fingers tracing the rim of my glass nervously. “By the time I found out I was pregnant, I was already in Italy. And when I finally put the pieces together, I figured there was no point. You were probably living your life with your girlfriend or wife, and I didn’t want to ruin that.”

“There was nothing to ruin,” he said, his voice rising slightly, not in anger but in frustration. “Because there was no girlfriend or wife to begin with.”

Before I could respond, the waiters approached with our meals. The timing couldn’t have been more awkward. They carefully placed the plates in front of us, the clink of porcelain echoing through the empty restaurant. The silence between us was suffocating.

“Enjoy your meal,” one of the waiters said politely before stepping away.

I stared down at the lamb chops and spaghetti, but my appetite had completely vanished. The smell of the food turned my stomach. I could barely focus on anything but the heaviness sitting in my chest.

“How did you find out?” I finally asked, my voice quiet.

Roman leaned forward again, his tone serious. “I was already going through your background,” he began. “Then I saw the email you received about Aria’s DNA test. I took the same test two years ago, so my DNA was already stored in the system database. I’m guessing it automatically cross–checked genetic markers when her DNA was uploaded too. So I got an email, a 99.99% parent/child paternity match.”

My heart sank further.

Of course. The hospital system. That’s what connected the dots. And Tessa – dear, loud–mouthed Tessa had been the one who’d pushed me into doing that DNA test in the first place. She probably had no idea that one decision would lead straight to this moment.

“It’s like that woman was sent here to make sure I end up with you,” I muttered under my breath, half to myself, half to him.

Roman frowned slightly. “What?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “It’s just… never mind.” I took a deep breath. “Well, now you know. What do you plan on doing about it?”

He looked at me, his expression unreadable. “That’s why we’re here,” he said simply. “To talk about it.”

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