No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 225

**He Chased 225**

**ROMAN’S POV**

I leaned back just a fraction, allowing myself to truly absorb her presence. My gaze locked onto hers, a connection so profound that nothing could disrupt it. The sincerity radiating from that five-year-old’s eyes was unlike anything I had ever encountered—almost disarming, catching me completely off guard. It wasn’t merely her innocence that struck me; it was the raw trust she placed in me, simple yet overwhelming, a kind of trust that resonated deeper than any grand speech or theatrical moment could ever convey. For a fleeting instant, the world around us seemed to freeze in time. The air was lighter, almost buoyant. The house, which had echoed with noise and chaos for days, now felt enveloped in a serene stillness.

In that singular moment, nothing else existed.

Not the embarrassment that had plagued me.

Not the shock that rattled my core.

Not the tangled web of stress and confusion that had built up to this very point.

All those feelings evaporated, as if they had never been there at all. What truly mattered now was this—this delicate yet powerful bond blossoming between a father and his daughter. It was fragile, yet undeniably real, honest, and far stronger than I had ever anticipated.

I nodded slowly, forcing down the lump that had lodged itself in my throat. “I’m glad too, Aria,” I murmured softly as I placed my hand gently over her cheeks. Her skin felt warm and velvety beneath my touch, and she leaned into it instinctively, as though she had been yearning for this closeness all along without even realizing it.

Watching us from a short distance, Lauren wore a smile that could only be described as tender. It was one of those smiles that conveyed everything without uttering a single word. Despite the awkwardness that hung in the air, she remained composed, her eyes glimmering with pride and relief—a knowing that something she had feared might be complicated had turned out to be smoother than she could have imagined. Aria was handling this revelation with a grace that many adults would envy.

“See? I told you she would take it well,” Lauren said, her voice calm yet laced with that familiar confidence she often wielded like a shield.

“I never anticipated explaining this to her would be this seamless,” I admitted, still somewhat dazed by how readily Aria had accepted everything.

“Well, she’s a remarkably bright girl,” Lauren replied, her attention shifting back to Aria. “She grasps concepts that many children her age struggle to comprehend.” She gently brushed a few stray curls away from Aria’s face before adding, “Thank you, Missy. I’m so glad you took this well. Our whole family feels complete now.” There was a hint of excitement in her voice, a quiver that suggested she had been waiting to express this sentiment for a long time.

“You thought we had fun before as friends?” I asked, crouching down so that I was eye level with Aria once more. “Just wait till you see the new adventures your old man has in store for you.”

Lauren raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she approached me with a playful swagger. “Hold on there. I hope you’re not trying to usurp my title as the best parent.”

“Absolutely not, ma’am,” I replied, grinning. I leaned in, ready to plant a kiss on her lips, but she suddenly pressed her palm against my chest to halt me.

“Not in front of her,” Lauren whispered, tilting her head toward Aria, who was gazing at us with wide eyes, as if she were watching a captivating movie unfold.

“Alright,” Lauren said quickly, transitioning back into her maternal role. “Why don’t you go upstairs so the maids can tidy you up and prepare you for tonight?”

Before she could finish her sentence, Aria dashed away, her tiny feet pounding up the stairs as she exclaimed, “Okay!”

“Come on, let’s go freshen up,” Lauren said, standing and brushing her hands over her clothes. “We definitely don’t want to disturb her.” She gestured toward Tessa, who was now noisily slurping something that was meant to be savored in silence.

“You can go on without me,” I said, gently guiding Lauren toward the stairs. “I have an important call to make right here.”

I had never uttered those words before—not in that tone, not so abruptly—and I noticed the puzzled expression that flickered across her face. She clearly wanted to inquire about the call I was making and why it needed to happen downstairs, but she held back. Instead, she studied me for a moment, trying to decipher my intentions.

“Okay…” she said slowly, beginning her ascent up the stairs while glancing back at me.

“And you can also try on the dress I got you on our way back home yesterday,” I added, watching her as she climbed. “A dress I’m quite certain your sister wouldn’t wear.”

Her reaction was instantaneous—she shot me a look over her shoulder, one that communicated she understood exactly what I was doing but wasn’t quite ready to confront me about it. I chuckled softly to myself.

I knew one thing for sure: when Lauren took her shower and prepared herself, she required no less than a full hour to get ready. That meant I had a precious hour to set everything in motion.

If I was going to propose to her, I needed to do it in a way that would be unforgettable—a grand gesture that would linger in her memory for a lifetime. The more effort I invested, the more difficult it would be for her to say no.

So now… it was time to start laying the groundwork.