No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 182

CHAPTER 0182

LAUREN’S POINT OF VIEW

We had gathered all the supplies needed for the decorations. The trunk of my car was packed with vibrant balloons, shimmering ribbons, sparkling confetti, and bright banners that read “Happy Birthday Aria.” The thought of preparing something special for my daughter filled me with a bubbling excitement, yet beneath that joy lurked a nagging sense of unease I couldn’t quite shake.

As I steered the car back home, my right hand gripped the wheel firmly, but my left kept drifting toward my phone resting next to me. I found myself glancing at it every few minutes, hoping for a message from Tessa. She was supposed to text me as soon as she and Aria arrived at the mall, but so far, there was nothing. No new notifications, no updates—only the last message I had read earlier that morning.

“Relax,” Roman said softly from the passenger seat, his voice calm but steady, the kind that always managed to soothe me.

I stole a quick glance at him before returning my eyes to the road ahead.

“I’m sure they’re just stuck in traffic or something,” he added, turning slightly towards me with a reassuring smile.

“Yeah, I know,” I replied, trying to sound confident, but the worry in my voice betrayed me. “I’ve just been feeling… off for a while now.”

Roman chuckled quietly, a deep, comforting sound. “It’s your daughter’s fifth birthday today. Feeling anxious is normal. You want everything to be perfect.”

I nodded slowly, releasing a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Maybe you’re right.”

Still, the tight knot in my chest didn’t loosen. This wasn’t just typical nervousness; it was something sharper, an instinct whispering that something was wrong. I couldn’t explain it, but my gut urged me to stay alert.

As we neared the gate to my house, I pressed the brakes gently. The black iron gate slid open with a familiar mechanical hum after I pressed the remote button. I drove inside and stopped the car in front of the porch.

Roman was the first to step out. Without hesitation, he moved to the trunk and began unloading the bags filled with decorations. I followed, trying hard to push aside the growing tension as we carried the colorful supplies toward the front door. The warm afternoon sun cast long shadows across the driveway, and for a brief moment, we laughed when a bag of balloons slipped from Roman’s hand and floated away on a gentle breeze.

But that lighthearted moment vanished quickly.

As we approached the door, I noticed it was slightly ajar. Not wide open, just enough to make my heart skip a beat.

I froze, my grip on the bags loosening.

Roman stopped beside me, sensing my sudden stillness. I turned to him, my eyes silently asking the question neither of us wanted to voice.

Tessa would never leave the door like that. Whether she was inside or heading out, she always double-checked it—sometimes even three times. She was meticulous, especially with Aria around.

So why was it open now?

Carefully, I set the bags down, feeling my heartbeat quicken. Roman’s gaze locked with mine, and without a word, we both understood the unspoken truth: something was wrong.

He gave me a small, reassuring nod, silently urging me to stay calm. Together, we stepped closer. The wooden door creaked softly as Roman pushed it open.

“Tessa?” I called out, my voice trembling slightly as it echoed through the quiet house.

There was no answer.

Everything seemed undisturbed—the furniture in place, vases untouched, no signs of a struggle or broken glass. For a moment, I wondered if we were overreacting.

But that door…

“Did Tessa forget to lock up?” Roman asked, his voice uncertain.

“That’s not like her,” I replied quietly, scanning the living room again for any clue—a knocked-over chair, a cushion out of place, anything unusual.

“Well,” Roman said, “she was with Aria. Maybe the little one distracted her, and she just forgot. It happens. At least the gate’s closed.”

I wanted to believe that. I truly did. But the heavy silence in the house pressed down on me, making it hard to accept.

“I’ll call her,” I said, pulling my phone from my pocket. “At least I’ll know where they are.”

I dialed Tessa’s number.

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