No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 224

**He Chased 224**

**ROMAN’S POV**

I sat quietly, my gaze fixed on Aria, absorbing every nuance of her small form as Lauren spoke to her. Each subtle shift in her posture, every flicker of emotion that danced across her delicate features captured my attention. Her eyes were wide, sparkling with curiosity, while her tiny hands rested gently beside her, still and attentive as she absorbed her mother’s words. I hadn’t anticipated much of a reaction from her; after all, she was just five years old. It was hard to imagine a child her age throwing a fit over discovering the identity of their biological father. Yet, if she did surprise us all with an outburst, I knew I would completely understand her feelings.

Aria remained quiet, her demeanor contemplative, her lips pressed together in a thoughtful line as she tracked Lauren’s every movement with those big, expressive eyes. I was fairly certain she grasped the gravity of what Lauren was saying, but she chose silence, her mind processing this monumental revelation in her own unique way. Her stillness wasn’t a sign of indifference; rather, it was a careful deliberation, a reflection of her youthful mind grappling with something profoundly significant.

“Before, I thought it was best for you not to know who your dad was,” Lauren continued, her voice steady yet laden with sincerity, as if the weight of her words had been a heavy burden she had carried for years. “I believed keeping you away from him was the right choice.”

“Is Daddy a bad man?” Aria interjected suddenly, her small voice slicing through the stillness of the room like a knife. Her question caught me off guard, and I quickly shifted my gaze to Lauren, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over me. That innocent little voice bore an unexpected sharpness, a clarity that reminded me of how perceptive children could be.

“No, he’s not,” Lauren replied swiftly, her voice softening as she directed her attention to Aria. “In fact, he’s the best man in the world. I was wrong to think that way, to keep you away from him all this time, to deny you the love of a father. But today… everything is going to change.”

“How?” Aria asked, her head tilting slightly, curiosity lighting up her large, expressive eyes. She leaned in ever so slightly, as if she could reach out and grasp the answer, her small frame brimming with anticipation for whatever explanation was about to unfold.

“Well, that’s what we’ve been wanting to tell you,” Lauren said, her voice steady yet warm. “You see, you’ve actually been around your dad for a while now without realizing it, because we’ve been waiting for the right moment to share this with you.”

I had already cleared my throat, preparing to step in and clarify to Aria that I was indeed her father. But just as I was about to speak, she surprised me once more with her next question.

“Uncle Roman is my dad?” she asked, her tiny finger pointing directly at me with the certainty of a child who had just uncovered a secret.

What?

My eyes widened in shock, a whirlwind of confusion swirling in my mind. How did she know? And why did she state it so casually, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world?

Lauren shot me a look of astonishment, and I subtly nodded back, conveying that I hadn’t revealed anything to Aria and had no idea how she had come to that conclusion.

Lauren blinked rapidly, her hand instinctively moving to rub her neck, a nervous gesture that betrayed her unease. She cleared her throat, her voice faltering slightly, “Uh… well, yes, you’re right. He is your father, but… uh… how did you know?”

Lauren finally let out a small, stifled laugh, a sound that seemed to escape her despite her efforts to contain it. Her shoulders shook slightly as she brought her hand up to cover her mouth for a moment. I could see the embarrassment etched on her face, mirroring my own feelings. I closed my eyes and buried my face in my hands for a brief moment, trying to regain my composure. I knew Aria was still just a child and didn’t fully grasp the implications of what she had heard, yet the wave of embarrassment that washed over me was undeniable.

She had heard Lauren call me “Daddy” that night, and even I had been taken aback when Lauren had said it. That simple word, uttered in a moment of passion, had somehow become the key that allowed her to piece everything together. Now, she wasn’t surprised to learn I was her father; she had already made that connection herself.

“You see,” I finally interjected, deciding it was time for me to clarify, “that game… we were actually acting. Everything you heard wasn’t real; it was just a performance between me and your mother.” I glanced back and forth between Aria and Lauren, ensuring my explanation was gentle yet firm.

“Everything… including you being my dad… was an act too?” Aria asked softly, uncertainty clouding her innocent features as her little brows furrowed in confusion.

“No,” I replied quickly, shaking my head. “That part was very real, sweetheart. I am your father. Ever since your mom told me, I have always wanted to be there for you, to make up for all those years I wasn’t present. I took my time in telling you because I wasn’t sure how you would react, and I wanted to ensure it was the right moment.”

Then, without a moment’s notice, Aria wrapped her tiny arms around me in another unexpected hug, catching me off guard. It was the third embrace of the day, each one warmer and more genuine than the last. I held her tightly, feeling the love and trust radiating from her small frame.

“I’m glad that you’re my dad. I wouldn’t have wished for anyone better,” Aria declared suddenly, her voice brimming with pure, innocent affection. Those words struck a chord deep within me, filling my chest with a warmth I could hardly describe.