No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 215

**TITLE: He Chased 215**
**CHAPTER 0215**

**LAUREN’S POV**

As I followed Roman’s gaze, the pieces of his earlier exclamation, “you have to be kidding me,” fell into place. The incredulity in his voice became palpable the instant my eyes locked onto the woman seated at the table ahead of us.

“Well, she wasn’t exactly hiding,” Roman remarked, a caustic edge to his tone that dripped with sarcasm.

For a fleeting moment, I found myself at a loss for words. My tongue felt as if it had been glued to the roof of my mouth, rendering me utterly speechless. There were no words that could adequately capture the shock of what lay before me. My brows knitted together so tightly that I could feel a dull ache blossoming between them, a physical manifestation of my confusion and disbelief.

Elizabeth.

In this moment, the reality of her existence became starkly clear. Up close, I could see precisely why Roman had been rendered speechless. She mirrored me in an uncanny way—every feature, every nuance. The impact of witnessing her in the flesh was far more intense than the photographs she had sent earlier. Those images had been startling, yes, but seeing her blink, breathe, and move? It sent an inexplicable sensation twisting through my insides, a mix of wonder and dread.

As we drew nearer, her gaze finally shifted towards us. I noticed her eyes widen slightly, mirroring the shock that had undoubtedly graced my own face upon our first encounter. The expression she wore was one I recognized immediately—an amalgamation of surprise, confusion, and a hint of being overwhelmed, much like the look that had been plastered on my face since I had stepped into this surreal moment.

It felt as though I were gazing into a mirror, but this mirror had a life of its own, a reflection that was both familiar and foreign.

She bore the same bewildered expression I often wore when confronted with something utterly shocking.

What made this entire scenario even more surreal was the fact that she was clad in the exact same dress I had chosen for this occasion. The same color, the same cut, every detail, right down to the delicate embroidery near her shoulder. My stomach performed a somersault. I had spent an eternity deliberating over this outfit before leaving home, and now, to see her donning the very same attire? It no longer felt like mere coincidence; it felt almost like destiny, as if the universe was trying too hard to make a statement. How could this even be possible?

Upon our arrival at the table, she stood, adjusting her dress with a slight, nervous flick.

One thing was abundantly clear.

Though we wore the same dress, there was no question about who it suited better.

I couldn’t help but think that perhaps the pictures hadn’t revealed everything. After all, she didn’t possess all that I had, especially when it came to the size of her breasts, a thought that flitted through my mind unbidden.

“Elizabeth, right?” I queried, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within.

She arched an eyebrow at me, a hint of disbelief dancing in her eyes. “Seriously, you’re asking me that?” she replied, gesturing emphatically to her own face, as if to say, “Hello, look at me!”

“So you were telling the truth,” I exhaled, still absorbing the contours of her face—the sharpness of her jawline, the high cheekbones, every single detail that echoed my own features. She was studying me with the same blend of curiosity and astonishment, her eyes scanning my face as if trying to decipher a riddle.

“I’m just as shocked as you are,” Elizabeth replied, her voice softening. “The same questions you have? I have them too. I grew up as the only child of my adoptive parents. I didn’t understand why, but I never truly enjoyed being alone. As I got older, they explained everything to me. Even now, coming to terms with the fact that I have a sister is still surreal.”

“Can I see your ID?” I asked, the need for something tangible, something solid to anchor all of this, coursing through me.

Without a word, she reached into her purse and retrieved her ID, placing it in my hand with a sense of trust that took me by surprise.

I scanned it quickly, my heart racing. When I reached the date of birth, I felt my breath hitch in my throat. Same day. Same month. Same year. Everything matched mine perfectly.

“The same as yours,” Roman murmured, leaning in to catch a glimpse of the ID as well.

I nodded slowly, the weight of the reality settling deeper within me. “This is incredible news for me,” I said quietly, returning the ID to her. “I thought I was the last of my bloodline, that I was utterly alone in this world. I’ve always longed for a sister, and the closest I ever got was my friend. And yet, here you are.”

“You mentioned your parents explained all of this to you,” Roman said, curiosity sharpening his tone. “So, does that mean they know what’s happening?”

“Yes,” Elizabeth replied, her expression earnest. “They told me they adopted me from an orphanage where we were still together. But they couldn’t care for both of us, so they only adopted me. I suppose that’s what separated us.”

It made sense, the reason behind our starkly different financial backgrounds.