No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 79

CHAPTER 079

LAUREN’S POV

Today, I didn’t even need my alarm.

Long before the alarm could cut through the morning silence, my eyes were already open, staring at the faint glow of dawn slipping in through the curtains. It was 5:39 a.m. according to the clock on the nightstand. Maybe it was a bit too early. But I didn’t care.

I couldn’t take chances, not with today. Not with something that could define the next phase of my life.

Better to get there hours ahead of time than risk missing it entirely.

—

For a second, it felt almost like I wanted to leave this country. Like I was actually eager to step into this new work life that had been presented to me eager to escape everything that had tied me down here, the shadows of the past, the betrayals I was still trying to stitch myself back together from.

By 6:00 a.m., I was already bathed, dressed, and ready. My hair, which I had fussed over far longer than I needed to, finally settled perfectly into place, not a strand out of line. My shoes shined faintly under the light, polished and professional, the kind of detail that might seem small to others but mattered to me now. Every piece of me had to look put together, sharp, ready.

Everything I needed was packed neatly into the luggage box I’d zipped shut last night, Elena’s picture tucked safely inside. That thought alone steadied me.

The smell of food drifted into the room, warm and familiar.

When I stepped into the kitchen, there was Tessa, sleeves rolled up, standing over the frying pan with that easy

smile on her face.

“Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready to leave for your work?” I teased gently.

She glanced over her shoulder, smirking. “Well, you’re leaving me. The least I can do is give you one last decent breakfast.”

I laughed softly and sat down at the small table. “I’m not gone forever, Tess.”

“Still.” She flipped the eggs expertly, the sizzle filling the air. “You’re gonna eat my breakfast one more time before you run off to go play international businesswoman. No arguments.”

I didn’t argue. There was something about the way she made her eggs and toast – simple, but somehow better than anything I could manage. Maybe it wasn’t even about the food but the care she poured into it.

When she set the plate in front of me, I ate slowly, trying to savor each bite, to press the memory deep into my

senses.

By the time I finished, the sound of a car horn echoed faintly outside. My ride.

I had arranged it yesterday, sent the address, and they had insisted on picking me up. Efficient, precise — everything about it screamed corporate. And when I stepped outside with my luggage, it was even more obvious.

The black sedan didn’t fit here in Tessa’s neighborhood, where old cars and chipped paint were the norm. Its tinted windows and polished body made it stand out like a secret being flaunted in public.

Tessa followed me into the car, despite my protests that she didn’t need to come. Of course, she wouldn’t hear

of it.

As soon as the door shut and the driver pulled away, she leaned closer, her breath brushing my ear as she whispered, “Still can’t believe you had sex with their boss.”

My heart jumped, and my eyes darted instantly to the rearview mirror. Sure enough, the driver’s his dark eyes catching mine before shifting back to the road.

gaze

flicked up,

“Shhh!” I hissed, glaring at Tessa. I pressed a finger to my lips, hoping she would finally understand that there were certain topics you just didn’t discuss in front of strangers, especially not like this.

She only smirked, clearly entertained by my panic. She loved poking, teasing, and stirring up reactions.

I clenched my jaw and turned my gaze out the window, I didn’t trust myself to say more. If I did, she’d only keep pushing, turning it into a full–blown conversation I didn’t want to have.

This was exactly why I hadn’t wanted her to ride with me. She couldn’t help herself. She thrived on chatter, on dragging extravagant topics out of thin air. And me? I just wanted silence.

Thankfully, the rest of the drive passed without her bringing up my sex life again.

When the car finally pulled up to the airport, relief washed over me.

And then I saw them.

The manager. And one of the board members. Two of them were standing near the entrance, with sharp eyes that seemed to calculate everything in sight.

They were waiting. For me.

“That’s the manager?” Tessa asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Yeah,” I muttered, my voice low, a hint of disdain slipping out. “The really annoying one.

She gave me a sideways glance, lips twitching. “Don’t you think your boss should know about this? Even if they don’t want him to? I mean, Roman might want you to stay if he knew.”

I shook my head firmly. “No no. That’s one thing I actually agree with them on. I’m glad he doesn’t know. And I’m glad I’m leaving headquarters. It’s… too choked there right now.”

“Alright,” she said softly, her teasing tone fading, replaced by something gentler. She looked at me with a smile that was both proud and sad. “I guess this is it then.”

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