No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 95

CHAPTER 095

LAUREN’S POV

Tessa leaned in closer, her sharp gaze studying me with a seriousness that made me instinctively shift back in my chair. Her eyes narrowed, scanning my face as if searching for something beneath the surface, some hidden truth I wasn’t saying out loud. Then, before I could even form a sentence, her hand shot up and pressed lightly against my neck, testing my temperature like a worried mother.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm, though her touch lingered as if she genuinely feared something was off.

I rolled my eyes, brushing her hand away gently. “Was that why you were suddenly behaving like this?” I asked, my voice carrying a faint edge.

“Yes,” she said quickly, pulling her hand back but not looking away from me. “Because if you’re perfectly alright, then they must have switched my friend with someone else. Why else would you ask about that bastard?” Her voice cracked, emotion rising beneath the words.

Ah, of course. That’s right. Tessa wasn’t there at that exact moment when I stood at Elena’s grave and made that vow, a promise carved deep inside my chest, one I would never abandon. She had no idea. I never told her how I had sworn to bring Ethan down, to dismantle everything he had and everything he was, piece by piece. To her, my sudden question about Ethan must have looked like old wounds reopening, like some hidden yearning to check up on the man who had wrecked me. She probably thought I still cared in that pathetic romantic way. But she was wrong.

Yes, I wanted to know about his life. Yes, I wanted to know how his company was doing, whether he was thriving or collapsing. But my reasons weren’t born from longing. No, what I felt was strategy. While in Italy, I had learned a few things about survival, about fighting your enemies the right way.

Number one: never stay on the defensive side.Number two: always see your enemies as prey.Number three: study your prey before you attack.

That was exactly what I intended to do. Ethan would never see me coming. He would never expect the storm I was preparing for him.

But should I tell Tessa? Should I let her into this dangerous little secret? No, not yet. She would try to talk me out of it, tell me I was risking too much, or worse she would pity me. I didn’t want pity. I didn’t want anyone softening the fire in me. This was personal. This was between me and Ethan. A promise I owed Elena, one I would see through no matter the cost.

And I’m sure later on Tessa would still eventually find out, I can’t keep this by myself forever, but for now, I don’t need someone to try and change my mind

“It’s not a big deal to check up on people you hate,” I finally said, my voice even, almost dismissive.

Her head snapped back slightly, her lips parting as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “It is, actually. What this guy did to you scarred you, Lauren. Bringing him up again is just as good as reopening those scars. I’m still shocked you’re even saying his name.”

I inhaled slowly, steadying myself before speaking again. “I know, I know,” I admitted. My voice softened for

just a moment. “Sometimes my mind just absently drifts back… especially to the day Elena died. And sometimes, I can’t help but think about how much of a horrible mother I was to her.”

Her eyes widened, and before I could even explain, Tessa leaned forward. “What do you mean? You were the best mom to Elena. I was there, I am a living witness.”

I smiled bitterly, shaking my head. “Yes, when she was alive, I was. But after she died… I don’t know if it was the grief or the shock, but I let everything slip. After Ethan told me that he had gone to the police, that he had tried to find answers about who came after Elena, and after the police claimed they found nothing, I just let it go. I didn’t push harder. I didn’t demand more. I simply accepted what Ethan told me.”

I swallowed hard, the bitterness of that memory thick in my throat. “And looking back now, I can’t forgive myself for that.”

Her expression softened, sympathy flooding her eyes, though she tried to hide it. “What are you saying?” she asked cautiously.

“I’m saying,” I continued, my voice heavier now, “that as Elena’s mother I should have done more. I should have gone to my lawyers and pushed them for answers. I should have reached out to private investigators myself instead of waiting for Ethan’s word. Even if they came back with nothing, at least I would have heard it from them directly. At least I would have known I did everything in my power. But I didn’t. I let grief make me weak, and I trusted Ethan’s words far too easily.”

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