No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 170

LAUREN’S POINT OF VIEW

“Alright then, we’re heading out.” Roman stood up, his voice calm and professional as we both rose from our seats. I gripped the laptop Jeff had handed me, holding it securely by my side. The device felt warm and solid in my hand, a steadiness I desperately needed to counter the fluttering unease in my stomach.

Jeff reached out his hand, and Roman clasped it firmly. “Thanks for your help,” Roman said sincerely, without any pretense. His genuine gratitude made my throat tighten with appreciation for the man who had opened that crucial door for me.

“You know I’m always here if you need me,” Jeff replied, his tone easy and honest.

“Really, thank you. I won’t forget this. It’s been such a huge help.” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, trying to sound as casual as they did, though inside, my heart was still pounding. The adrenaline from what we’d just accomplished was a low, persistent hum beneath my skin. We’d uncovered a thread of truth tonight, and it felt like we’d already tied one end to something we could pull on.

Jeff grinned. “Just don’t go digging through my XVideos,” he teased, flashing a ridiculous wink.

For a moment, I thought I’d misheard. XVideos. My mind stalled on the word before I realized he was joking—a crude but lighthearted attempt to break the tension. I let out a short, surprised laugh. Jeff was brazen, but in a way that didn’t make me uncomfortable. It was the kind of banter that could make a stranger feel like an old friend in seconds. I wasn’t used to that kind of openness among Roman’s circle; their world operated under different, often colder rules. It left me both cautious and oddly relieved.

I smiled one last time before turning toward the elevator, Roman walking beside me as the doors slid shut.

Inside the elevator, a thoughtful silence settled between us. The soft mechanical hum filled the small space as we descended.

“So, now that you’ve got the proof and the information you were after, what’s the plan? Are you thinking of going to the media?” Roman asked, glancing over at me.

His question lingered in my mind for a few seconds. That did sound like the logical next step. The media could blow this wide open in no time, spreading the truth faster than any rumor Ethan could try to control. But then again… Ethan had power. He had money. And I knew all too well how far money could go in silencing the truth.

“That seems smart,” I murmured, eyes fixed on the descending numbers above the elevator doors. “But if I do that, how can I be sure Ethan won’t just pay them off and get the post taken down?”

Roman crossed his arms thoughtfully. “You have a point there.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head firmly. “We can’t trust the media right now because we don’t know who might sell out to him.”

I could hear the certainty in my own voice. This wasn’t just speculation—I knew it was true. Ethan’s connections were everywhere. He’d spent years weaving his influence like a spider spinning its web, making sure no one could touch him without getting caught.

“So, what’s next?” Roman asked after a pause. “You can’t hold onto this forever.”

He was right. Keeping this evidence hidden without using it would be pointless. But I wasn’t planning to rush into anything. I needed to be cautious. One wrong move, and everything could slip through our fingers.

For a moment, I imagined what that must have felt like for her. Pouring your heart and soul into something, only to have someone like Ethan destroy it in an instant. To have your truth silenced because a richer, more powerful person decided it was inconvenient. It must have been devastating. Maybe she’d understand how I felt too.

“All I need,” I said softly, “is a reporter who won’t give in to Ethan when he comes knocking. Because when Ethan sees this is back up, and tries to pay someone to take it down again, if that doesn’t work, he’ll go after the reporter who posted it.”

The car fell silent for a moment. I could tell Roman was thinking too, weighing the risks just as I was.

Finally, he said, “I’ll help find someone. There are still good people out there who don’t buy into corruption.”

I turned to look at him, catching the sincerity in his expression. He wasn’t just saying it to comfort me—he truly believed it. His words carried a kind of hope I hadn’t felt in a long time, a reminder that maybe not everyone could be bought.

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I really hope you’re right, Roman.”

He glanced at me briefly, his tone lighter now. “I usually am.”

I chuckled softly, my fingers tracing the smooth surface of the laptop once more, feeling the weight of what we were about to face together.