No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 88

CHAPTER 088

LAUREN’S POV

“It’s so good to see you again, Lauren,” Tessa said warmly as we finally separated from each other’s embrace. Her voice carried that same familiar tone

“It’s good to see you too,” I replied, unable to stop my eyes from trailing over her figure. She looked slightly different, sharper somehow. “Did you lose weight?” I asked, tilting my head as I scanned her from top to bottom.

“Yeah,” she said with a playful roll of her eyes. “I’ve been hitting the gym lately. The calories were already getting too much, and I needed to get my sexy on. But speaking of looking good damn, girl Italy has given you a major upgrade. Your skin is glowing.”

–

Her words instantly pulled a smile out of me. Only Tessa could tease me in such a way that felt like both a compliment and a nudge to laugh at myself. “Thank you,” I said softly.

me,

Without wasting another moment, Tessa’s attention shifted. Her gaze landed on Aria, who stood a little behind

silent and observant, her big eyes watching us with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. I could tell she didn’t quite understand what was happening, why her mother had suddenly hugged this stranger so tightly, why we were laughing so freely together.

A flicker of memory passed through my mind. It was one of those heavy, fragile days after I discovered I was pregnant with Aria. I had been terrified, torn between fear and hope. When the time came, when my water broke and I was rushed into the operating room, I had been overwhelmed and desperate to reach someone – someone I trusted. That someone was Tessa.

Even though she had been back in America, thousands of miles away, she hadn’t let distance stop her. She’d caught the first available flight and arrived at the hospital not long after I had given birth. I still remember the relief that washed over me when I saw her walk into that hospital room. She had been there for my first days as a mother, cradling Aria in her arms, promising me I wasn’t alone. That memory had stayed with me like a lifeline through the hard years.

And now here they were again, face-to-face. Of course, Aria was too young to remember their first meeting, but I knew in my heart the bond had been planted then, even if she didn’t recognize it yet.

Tessa bent down on one knee without hesitation, not even caring about the dirt on the floor. Her smile was so wide and genuine that it softened every hard edge of her face. She looked right at Aria and said gently, “Hey there, beautiful. It’s been a while since I saw you, and you’ve grown into such a big girl now.”

Aria’s eyes widened slightly, her small lips parting as if she was unsure whether to reply. She wasn’t used to strangers, she never had been.

“You don’t know me,” Tessa continued patiently, “but we’ve met before. I’m your Aunt Tessa.” She extended her hand slowly, giving Aria all the time she needed to decide.

For a moment I held my breath, watching my daughter’s face. Normally, she would shy away, tuck herself behind my leg, or simply ignore the gesture. She wasn’t a people’s person. Back in Italy, the only people she felt completely comfortable with were me and her teacher and it had taken months for her to even warm up to her teacher.

But then, to my surprise, Aria’s small hand slipped into Tessa’s. She shook it once, quick but firm, and then pulled back.

A smile bloomed across Aria’s face, tentative at first but then full and bright.

And there it was the bond I had spoken about in my own thoughts so many times. That invisible thread between the two of them, something that no distance, no years apart could sever. It was as if Aria instinctively felt that this woman kneeling before her wasn’t just some stranger. She was someone safe, someone who had once been there before she could even form memories.

Tessa rose back up to her feet and said softly, “She has your eyes.” Her tone was warm, almost teasing, but there was something in her voice that made me realize she truly meant it. It wasn’t just a casual comment.

I let out a small laugh, the kind of laugh that carries relief and nostalgia all at once. “Yes, you’ve told me that before,” I said, my lips curving into a smile “When she was still a baby, you wouldn’t stop pointing it out.”

Tessa chuckled, giving me a playful nudge with her elbow as we began walking forward. She reached down naturally to help Aria with her little box, the one she insisted on carrying even though it was almost as big as her tiny arms. My daughter accepted the help without hesitation.

“Our ride is just over there,” Tessa announced, pointing toward the cab parked a short distance away.

I sighed dramatically, dragging out the word the way I always did when I wanted to sound extra dramatic. “I can’t wait to get a car here… again.” The emphasis on again made Tessa laugh as I rolled my eyes at my own situation. Selling my car back in Italy had been necessary, but it still stung. Cars had always felt like small tokens of independence to me, and now I had to start over once more.

We got into the cab, settling into the back seat. The city outside buzzed with noise and energy, Only a few minutes into the drive, I glanced to my side and nearly burst out laughing. Aria had already leaned comfortably against Tessa, her wide eyes glued to the Small cartoon playing on Tessa’s phone.

“Are you kidding me?” I thought, biting down on a smile. Ten minutes. Just ten minutes, and she’s already acting like I don’t exist. Your mom is still right here, you know. But honestly, I didn’t mind. Watching Aria relax so easily with Tessa filled me with a peace I hadn’t felt in months. It was almost like watching pieces of a puzzle fall into place, one by one.

The cab rolled to a stop sooner than expected, pulling up in front of the house I had chosen. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I froze. For a moment, I just stood there, staring up at the two-story home that was now mine – well, at least for the time being.

I had to take it all in.

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