No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 91

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CHAPTER 091

LAUREN’S POV

Once again, I found myself slipping back into the old days of waking up early, long before the sun had fully risen. The alarm clock wasn’t even necessary anymore my body seemed to know, dragging me out of bed before dawn. I sat at the edge of the mattress for a moment, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and letting out a tired sigh. The air in the room was still cool, carrying that faint morning stillness that always felt both calming and heavy.

Yes, today I had to report to headquarters early, and that was enough of a reason to wake up on time. But deep down, I knew that wasn’t the true reason I had stirred from bed at this hour. Something else had pushed me awake responsibility, planning, and a touch of nervous energy.

–

Last night, after we’d finished arranging everything perfectly in the house, I had wasted no time diving into something that had been at the top of my list since we landed: finding a new school for Aria. It weighed on me constantly. If I was going to be in America for a long stretch, then the last thing I wanted was for my work to create cracks in her education. That wasn’t negotiable. Aria’s future, her stability, always had to come first.

So I did what any determined mother would do. I searched, compared, read reviews, and called around until I found a school that didn’t just seem decent but amazing. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, the new term had just begun. That meant Aria wouldn’t fall behind, and she’d be able to continue right from where she’d stopped back in Italy. The thought of that gave me comfort, like one heavy stone being lifted from my chest.

What made everything even better, something I couldn’t stop being grateful for was the fact that I wasn’t alone anymore. Not in this country. Sometimes people don’t realize the weight of companionship until they’ve been stripped of it. Sometimes you don’t value the people who stand by you their laughter, their presence, their steadying influence until you’re alone, and the silence presses down on you like a burden.

—

A few years ago, I had learned that lesson the hard way. The loneliness had been suffocating, and it had shown me just how much I needed to be around people, especially the ones who truly mattered – close friends. And now, thankfully, I had Tessa here. The fact that she could stay weeks at my place before leaving again was a blessing I didn’t take lightly.

Her presence wasn’t just comforting for me, it was practical. On the days when my schedule swallowed me whole, Tessa could pick up Aria from school. She could keep her company, distract her from hours wasted on those trashy TikTok videos, and give her the warmth and attention I sometimes couldn’t.

That was the main point: I had her to help out. Yes, I still wasn’t comfortable hiring a maid, no matter how much easier it might make things. But Tessa? Tessa wasn’t a stranger. I was comfortable with her stepping in, and more importantly, Aria was comfortable too. That was all that mattered.

“Today’s your first day. Make sure you pay attention in class, okay?” I said gently, leaning against the bathroom doorframe as I watched Aria brushing her teeth. She stood on her little stool in front of the sink, her hair a bit messy, eyes still heavy with sleep.

“Mm-hmm,” she mumbled through a mouthful of foam, not looking at me.

I smiled despite myself, shaking my head as I crouched to zip up her school bag, carefully packing in the books and supplies she would need. Every movement felt meticulous, like preparing armor for battle. This was a new chapter for her, too, and I wanted her to step into it ready.

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Once her bag was in order, I rose to my feet and made my way to the kitchen to check on Tessa. She was moving about with ease, her sleeves rolled up, spatula in hand.

“Just a few minutes and it’ll be ready,” she said without looking up.

–

Tessa, in my kitchen, cooking

For a moment I let the scene sink in. The sight filled me with warmth breakfast. The space was big and spacious, with counters gleaming and cabinets neatly arranged. Here, she didn’t have to ration anything or count eggs like we once did back in her small apartment. She could use as many as she wanted, without a second thought.

“Thanks so much,” I said sincerely, the words escaping almost as a sigh before I hurried back into Aria’s room to help her finish getting ready.

A few minutes later, everything was set. Aria was dressed, her bag on her shoulders, her shoes tied neatly. I kissed the top of her head before she headed out, a little early but still fine.

With Aria off to school, it was my turn to face the day. My own nerves hummed beneath the surface as I prepared myself to see old faces again if they were even still there. Some part of me dreaded it, some part of me longed for it, but either way, it was coming.

The cab rolled to a stop in front of headquarters, and I stepped out slowly. I stood on the pavement, my eyes fixed on the towering building. From the outside, it didn’t look like it had changed much since the last time I had seen it. And yet, as I gazed up at it now, it seemed… smaller. Maybe it truly had shrunk in my absence, or maybe my eyes had simply grown used to the massive skyscrapers of Italy. Either way, it no longer carried the same intimidating weight it once had.

I squared my shoulders and began walking toward the entrance. My heels clicked softly against the floor as I crossed the lobby. Immediately, I noticed the mix of faces, some new, some familiar. Not many had changed, though. The receptionist, for instance, was the same. I remembered her face, the exact curve of her expression, the way she carried herself behind that desk. They hadn’t replaced her.

I stopped at the reception desk. Without glancing up, she said in a rehearsed tone, “Good day, how may I help you?”

I remained silent, waiting.

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