No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 229

CHAPTER 0229

ELIZABETH’S POV

As I stretched my hand out, I watched as the once big smile she had on her face slowly faded away right in front of me. It was almost funny how fast the change happened. A few moments ago, Roman had said something to her that made her laugh so hard her tiny shoulders shook, but the second her toward me, the laughter just vanished. Completely gone.

eyes shifted

The way she looked at me like she was studying me or maybe trying to figure out what category to place me in, left my hand hanging awkwardly in the air. And it wasn’t the normal type of hesitation a child would give when meeting a stranger. No. There was something different about this one. It was almost like she didn’t like me already.

Which made absolutely no sense.

She barely knew me. She only just saw me for the first time in her life. How could she dislike someone she didn’t even know? Maybe I was overthinking it. Yeah, maybe that was it. Kids act weird sometimes. They do strange things without thinking. Maybe she was shy. Or maybe she was still confused about why I looked exactly like her mother.

I cleared my throat softly, mostly because the silence was starting to feel embarrassing. My hand was still floating in the air expecting a handshake that clearly wasn’t going to happen anymore. So I gently, as gracefully as I could, returned my hand to my side.

“Sorry about that,” Lauren said quickly, stepping forward to fill the silence. “Aria is a very shy person. She doesn’t like interacting with people she doesn’t know. It’s only special people that she has bonds with that she talks to when meeting them for the first time.”

“Right,” I replied, forcing a small polite smile onto my face. “I completely understand. She might also find it strange that I have her mother’s face too, so I believe she’ll warm up to me in due time.”

I made sure my voice sounded calm, gentle, understanding, every quality a “good aunt” was supposed to have. But inside, I was watching every detail carefully. In just these few moments alone, I already saw how deep the bond between Roman and his daughter was. The way he held her. The way she clung to him. The way she reacted to his voice. Everything.

And I’ve watched too many movies, heard too many stories, where the child always comes between the single parent and whoever is trying to come into their life. They get attached, or they get protective, or they simply refuse to like anyone who isn’t their original parent. And with the reaction I just got from this rude brat? I could already see it happening in the future. Her disrespectful little stare, the way she intentionally ignored my hand, the way she acted like she was judging me…

She might ruin every chance I have with Roman.

And I cannot allow that. Not even a little.

So I already knew what I had to do. I was going to get her to like me by all means necessary. She’s still young, and children especially ones around her age were usually so easy to persuade with the stupidest things. Toys. Dolls. Candy. Chocolate. Ice cream. Little gestures. Fake kindness. Whatever worked.

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I would just act like the perfect, caring aunt for now. Sweet, gentle, harmless. Someone she could get used to. Someone she could eventually prefer. And when it becomes time for her mother to leave? It wouldn’t be difficult for her to accept ine.

After all, I literally have her mom’s face. How can she hate a face she’s been looking at since birth?

Roman slowly lowered her down from his arms until her feet touched the floor. “Alright everyone, he said, clapping his hands lightly. “Since we’re all here, we might as well head to the dinner table before the food gets cold.”

Lauren and Tessa both turned immediately toward the dining area, walking ahead while still talking to each other. Then Roman followed behind them casually. I expected Aria to follow her parents, but she didn’t. She stayed exactly where she was, standing a few feet away from me, staring at me with that same unnerving look she had earlier.

“Come darling,” I said, softening my tone as much as possible. “Let’s head towards the dining.” I gestured toward the dining room.

But instead of turning and walking, she just kept staring at me. Not moving an inch.

At first, I honestly felt like giving her a small knock on her head to reset her brain or something. Maybe even just tapping her hard enough to remind her to behave. Because that rude look she kept giving me? It was almost begging me to slap it off her face. But of course, I controlled myself. A good aunt wouldn’t do that. A good aunt would stay calm, patient, and kind.

So I bent down slightly so I could meet her gaze properly and placed a gentle hand on her tiny shoulder.

“I know seeing this…” I pointed to my face “-might look strange to you and might also take some time before you get used to it. But I assure you, I’m a very fun person, and when I have the time, I’d like to spend it with you. Now let’s go eat good food, alright?” I said, adding a big warm smile.

The little brat didn’t listen.

Instead, she used her small hand to push my hand off her shoulder like she couldn’t stand my touch.

“Aria, don’t be rude to your aunt,” Lauren called from the table. “Now come over to the table.”

And just like that, without another word, Aria turned around and walked toward her parents. No apology. No cute smile. Nothing.

I bit down on my lip, a grin forming despite myself. So this is how she wants to play this little game? Interesting. Very, very interesting. Too bad for her, I’m not going to fall into that trap. I’m not going to let a five–year–old intimidate me or ruin my plans. I’ll get her to like me eventually. One step at a time.

For now, I just needed to focus on Roman. He was a very tough nut to crack. Hard to read. Hard to sway. But not impossible.

I straightened my posture and started walking toward the dining room with a calm expression. I took the seat on the left side of Roman while Lauren sat on his right. Perfect positioning for me. Close enough to him to keep building a connection. Close enough for him to notice me.

The champagne had already been poured into the glasses. I picked mine up delicately, feeling the

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CHAPTER 0229

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coolness of the glass between my fingers, I was about to take a sip until Lauren suddenly started praying.

I froze, slowly lowered the glass back onto the table, and waited patiently…

Waiting for her to finish.

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