No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 167

CHAPTER 0167

LAUREN’S POV

Our place,

“The nerve on that guy. I’m surprised he still had the guts to approach you after causing a scen Roman said, his tone tight with annoyance as he adjusted his suit jacket. “But I knew he still wasn’t going to stop,”

I sighed softly, sinking into the leather seat beside him. “He said his team is working with the media. He still wants Aria and me to come over by all means even if it means lying to the media.”

Roman’s expression darkened, his jaw flexing. “Does he really think deceiving the media would grant him victory? I’m sure he’s just bluffing. That’s what he always does.” He paused, glancing over at me, his voice softening. “We had a huge win today, and that’s thanks to you. Don’t let this trouble you or ruin your mood. I suggest we go celebrate this.”

Celebrate.

The word felt distant, like something from another world. I wanted to feel proud, to enjoy this victory, but my thoughts were tangled around Ethan’s threats. His words still echoed in my mind, the way he said them so calm, so confident, like he already had everything figured out.

“I’ve gotten the ring, and the other items will be brought to my company today,” Roman added, trying to lift the mood. “Let’s go.”

I let out a small breath and nodded, following him as we left the auction house. The cool night air brushed against my skin, but it did little to ease the tightness in my chest.

When we got into the car, silence stretched between us. The city lights streamed past in blurs of gold and silver, but my thoughts were far from the glowing skyline. They were spiraling, drowning in worry.

What if Ethan actually gets what he wants?

I wasn’t worried about working for him that idea disgusted me. What really scared me was the thought of Aria being anywhere near him. That man didn’t deserve to be called a father. Not after what he did. Not after what he allowed to happen to Elena. 1

If you have the media and the courts wrapped around your fingers, you can get away with almost anything. I knew how far Ethan could go when his pride was on the line. He’d buy, bribe, and manipulate until truth bent in his favor. He always did.

Even if the DNA tests showed that Aria wasn’t his, would that stop him? Or would he twist things until it didn’t matter anymore?

My heart sank as I thought of Elena again. My little girl who used to giggle every morning when I brushed her hair, who’d sit by the window drawing suns and flowers. The last memory I had of her still haunted me – the blood, the silence, the regret.

Ethan was supposed to be home that day. He promised me he’d watch her. But instead, he went to see Sophia. His mistress. His real priority.

1/3

And by the time he returned, it was too late.

For years, I buried that pain because there was nothing else to do. I told myself I needed to mo sake, for my own sanity. But every time Ethan’s name came up, it was like reopening that wou

\ria’s

Now, hearing that he wanted to take Aria from me… that he wanted to rewrite our lives again, the same way he rewrote the truth about Elena, it reignited everything I’d tried so hard to bury.

When I came back to this country, I promised myself I would make him pay. But somehow, I got caught up in survival, in work, in raising Aria alone. I didn’t want to lose myself in revenge I wanted to be a good mother first.

But now, I couldn’t just sit still anymore. Not when he was moving again. Not when he was threatening to take the only person I had left.

He said his team was working with the media, trying to twist the narrative before the truth could come out. If that was the game he wanted to play, then maybe it was time I played too but differently.

Not with lies. Not with manipulation.

With the truth.

The truth he buried five years ago.

The truth about what happened to our daughter.

If I could show the world who Ethan really was, a selfish, careless man who abandoned his child for another woman then no one would ever side with him. The court, the press, the public they’d all turn against him.

But how? How do I expose something he worked so hard to bury?

The police files were sealed. The investigation never went far because Ethan used his money to silence everyone involved. But there had to be something left, a loose end he couldn’t control.

I stared out the window as we drove, the weight of it all pressing down on me. I didn’t even realize Roman had been watching me until he spoke again.

“For someone who brought back a huge win for the company, you don’t look that excited,” he said gently.

I forced a small smile. “I am excited. I’ve just been thinking about something.”

“About what?” he asked, though I already knew he suspected the answer. “Does it involve Ethan?”

I nodded slowly. “Yes. My first daughter, before Aria, her name was Elena. I’m sure you’ve heard me mention her a few times.”

“I have,” Roman said quietly, his tone careful, respectful.

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