No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 200

**TITLE: He Chased 200**
**CHAPTER 0200**

**LAUREN’S POV**

Two days had passed since the arrest of Ethan and Sophia, and the world around me was in complete disarray, especially the media frenzy. I had tasted a hint of fame before, with people occasionally recognizing my name, but this was something entirely different. After the events that unfolded two days ago, I was convinced that half the city knew who I was. My name, along with Ethan’s and Roman’s, was splashed across every conceivable news platform—television, blogs, social media; it was everywhere. Each time I turned around, there were our faces, and the reporters dissecting the case as if it were a gripping drama playing out on screen.

Today marked the day of Ethan and Sophia’s court appearance, and since the morning, I had been a bundle of nerves. I was desperate to hear their sentences before I returned to my own home. Yes, I was still residing at Roman’s mansion. The thought of leaving crossed my mind often, yet I couldn’t shake the unsettling sensation that had settled in my chest ever since I witnessed that infuriating smirk Ethan had flashed me just before the police took him away. That look—it was etched in my memory, radiating a kind of quiet confidence that made me question if he was truly as powerless as he appeared. I couldn’t bring myself to trust him entirely, not yet. I was acutely aware of what individuals like him were capable of—wealthy men with influential connections, lawyers ready to twist the law to their advantage. They could manipulate the system to suit their needs.

Until I had the reassurance that he was behind bars for a significant time, I resolved to remain here, where I felt a modicum of safety.

Tessa had gone to court today as a witness, determined to testify against Ethan herself. She was adamant about ensuring he faced the full consequences of his actions. The court session had concluded about thirty minutes ago, and I had received a text from her saying she was fifteen minutes away. As I paced the living room, nervously nibbling on my finger, I kept stealing glances at the clock, counting down the seconds. My nerves were frayed; all I wanted was to know the outcome of his sentencing—how long he would be imprisoned.

What Ethan had done was no trivial offense that could be brushed aside or laughed off. It was dark, merciless, and devoid of empathy. I expected the judge to impose the harshest sentence possible, one that would guarantee he would never have the chance to ruin another life again.

Suddenly, a soft ping from my phone jolted me from my reverie. I snatched it up quickly and saw Tessa’s name flashing on the screen. She had texted:

*I’m here.*

“Is she at the gate?” Roman asked, lounging on the couch with an air of nonchalance, one leg casually crossed over the other, a tablet resting in his hands. His tone was calm, as if nothing in the world could disturb his peace.

“Yes,” I replied, still clutching my phone.

Without another word, he reached for his phone on the table and made a quick call. I didn’t need to inquire about whom he was calling; it was evident he was contacting his security team stationed at the gate. That was the level of seriousness surrounding his security. Even if you had visited this mansion countless times and everyone on the team recognized your face, you still couldn’t step foot inside without Roman’s explicit permission. The place felt like a fortress, impenetrable and formidable.

After giving his men the signal to let her in, Roman placed his phone back on the table. Moments later, the heavy front doors swung open, and Tessa stepped inside. She looked utterly drained, the kind of fatigue that seemed to seep into her very bones. Her shoulders drooped as she sank into the couch across from us, dropping her handbag beside her and exhaling a long, weary sigh.

“So,” I ventured cautiously, keeping my voice low, “how did it go?”

Tessa lifted her gaze to meet mine, her eyes weary yet resolute. “Well,” she began, “Sophia was charged with murder. The judge sentenced her to life imprisonment. She’ll be spending the rest of her life behind bars.”

I fell silent for a few moments, absorbing the weight of her words. I knew I shouldn’t feel any sense of joy over such a grim fate; it wasn’t right to celebrate another’s downfall. Yet, deep within, there was a bittersweet satisfaction in knowing that she would finally face the consequences for her actions. She would pay for what she had done—killing my daughter. That pain would linger indefinitely, but at least now, there was a semblance of justice.

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