No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 72

LAUREN'S POV

We walked toward the couch and slowly sank into the cushions. My legs felt heavier than usual, and even though I tried to appear calm, my mind was buzzing like a swarm of restless bees. Tessa sat beside me with her arms crossed tightly against her chest, her brows furrowed in that way she always did whenever she was about to interrogate me. She looked less like my best friend at that moment and more like a mother waiting to scold a reckless child.

“Where were you last night?” Tessa finally asked, her tone sharp and filled with curiosity. It wasn’t an innocent question, it carried weight, expectation, and the promise of judgment.

I rolled my eyes and tried to ease the tension, though deep down, I was dreading this exact conversation. “Relax, I’ll explain that too,” I said with a forced calmness. My voice wavered slightly, betraying me. “I don’t know if you remember this, but you got completely drunk last night and stumbled straight to the dance floor.”

I pushed forward before she could interrupt. “Then…remember that jerk I told you about? The one I saw entering the VIP lounge? Well… he showed up. And I…” I exhaled heavily, “I decided to confront him.”

Tessa’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, and I could see her already piecing things together in her mind.

“And?” she pressed, leaning in.

“And then he started asking questions about me, trying to know more, but I completely ignored him. I thought that was it. But then…” I trailed off, my throat tightening.

“Then what?” she asked impatiently.

“Then I did the one thing I swore to myself I wouldn’t do that night.” My voice was barely a whisper.

Tessa blinked, and her expression softened, like she already knew the answer. “You drank, didn’t you?” she asked, her voice not accusing but resigned, like she had predicted it all along.

I nodded slowly, shame crawling up my neck. “Yes… I drank. And you know how I get when I’m drunk. I lose control of myself.” My lips trembled as I admitted the rest. “And he took advantage of that. We… We ended up having sex that night. In a private room. On the top floor.”

The words hung in the air like smoke, suffocating me. I immediately covered my face with both hands, hiding behind my fingers as if I could shield myself from the reality of what I had just confessed. My stomach twisted with guilt, and a deep part of me expected Tessa to lash out, to scold me with that brutal honesty she was famous for. After all, that had always been her role in my life keeping me in check, reminding me when I was spiraling.

But there was only silence. A long, heavy silence that made me peek through my fingers nervously.

Instead of the harsh scolding I braced for, I found Tessa’s lips curled into a wide, almost mischievous smile.

“What? Why are you smiling like that?” I asked, lowering my hands slowly, utterly confused.

“Why wouldn’t I smile?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Lauren, I’ve lost count of the times you told me Ethan hasn’t touched you in over a year. Do you know how sad I’ve been just hearing you complain about that? But now…” she leaned closer with a teasing grin, “yesterday you finally got what you’ve been craving for.”

“Craving?” I repeated, my tone defensive. “I wasn’t craving sex, Tessa.”

But even as I said the words, I could feel the betrayal in my own voice. My tone lacked conviction, and judging by the knowing look on her face, she could hear it too.

“Let’s not lie to each other here,” she said slyly. “Tell me was he good in bed?”

I blinked, stunned. “Seriously? That’s what you’re asking me right now?” My disappointment was evident in my voice.

“Of course,” she said, shrugging nonchalantly. “Because I’m curious. And because I can see the satisfaction written all over your face. You can’t hide it from me, Lauren. So just tell me.”

I groaned, realizing she wasn’t going to let this go. “Fine. He was okay. Are you happy now?” I said reluctantly, knowing full well she’d keep pressing until I gave her an answer.

Her smile widened, her tone turning sharper with amusement. “Better than Ethan, right? Be honest. Because honestly, Ethan isn’t even a man at this point.”

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