No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 183

LAUREN’S POINT OF VIEW

At last, Roman gently laid Tessa down on the couch, carefully positioning her head on a small pillow he had grabbed from the side table. I stood just a few feet away, unable to settle, pacing nervously back and forth. My palms were slick with sweat, and my heart pounded so loudly it nearly drowned out every other sound in the room. Inside my mind, chaos reigned—countless terrifying scenarios spun relentlessly, each one more dreadful than the last.

Aria was missing.

I had already dialed 911, my voice trembling so uncontrollably that the operator asked me to repeat myself twice. Their response was frustratingly unhelpful—they insisted I come to the station to file a report, describe what I thought had happened, and provide either a photo or a description of Aria. They warned it could take the better part of the day. But what mother could calmly waste hours in a police station while her five-year-old daughter was out there, possibly frightened, hurt, or worse?

I knew the truth. Someone had taken her. I didn’t need proof; my body screamed it louder than any words could. Questions flooded my mind, with no answers in sight. Who would do such a thing? Why would anyone want to snatch my little girl?

I wasn’t the kind of woman to make enemies. My life was quiet—hardworking, private, devoted to my child. So who could possibly want to harm me… or her?

Trying to steady my ragged breath, I noticed a faint movement on the couch. Tessa’s brows knitted together slightly, her fingers twitched, and then her head tilted a little to the side. A wave of relief swept over me. Finally, she was waking up.

“Roman,” I said quickly, my voice shaking, “she’s awake.”

If someone had broken into the house, attacked her, and taken Aria, then Tessa must have seen them. She had to have seen something.

Roman leaned closer as Tessa raised her hand to her head, pressing down gently, wincing in pain. “My head…” she whispered, her voice fragile and weak.

…

“Tessa, are you okay?” Roman asked softly, careful not to startle her.

Her eyelids fluttered before opening fully, blinking several times as if trying to orient herself. Her eyes flicked between Roman and me, confusion clouding her face.

I crouched beside her. “Tessa… what happened? Where’s Aria?”

Roman helped her sit up slowly, steadying her with a hand on her back. She winced again, gripping the edge of the couch for support. “He came in here,” she said at last, her words heavy, “and took Aria.”

The world seemed to tilt beneath me. My knees buckled, and I sank to the floor before I even registered it. Tears spilled freely, blurring my vision. My throat burned as I gasped for air, the words echoing relentlessly inside my head—he came in here and took Aria.

No. This couldn’t be happening.

Roman’s voice grew firm. “Did you see the person’s face?”

Tessa nodded slowly, still wincing as she tried to piece it all together. Her voice barely rose above a whisper. “Yes… it’s Ethan.”

For a moment, I froze—not because I hadn’t heard her, but because I refused to accept what she’d just said.

Roman and I exchanged a stunned glance, silence hanging heavy between us. My heart thundered wildly in my ears. Surely, she must be mistaken.

“Wait,” I said, crawling closer to the couch, my voice trembling but sharp. “Did you just say Ethan? The Ethan Black we both know?”

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