No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 234

**TITLE: He Chased 234**
**CHAPTER 0234**

**ELIZABETH’S POV**

I slammed the door to my hotel room with such force that I was certain the sound reverberated through the entire building, echoing like a thunderclap. The sharp crack of the wood against the frame did little to quell the fiery rage that surged within me. My entire body felt taut, as if every muscle was coiled tightly, ready to snap at any moment.

But I was far from finished. No, not even close. The steam that bubbled beneath my skin demanded release, and I knew if I didn’t let it out soon, I would simply combust.

My gaze fell upon the nearest object — a decorative vase, one of those gaudy pieces hotels display to give the illusion of luxury. Without a second thought, I seized it with both hands and hurled it to the ground, pouring every ounce of my fury into that one act. It shattered spectacularly, fragments flying across the room like sharp reminders of everything that had gone wrong.

My fingers tangled messily through my hair as I paced the room, moving like a caged animal. My breaths came in jagged gasps, each one feeling like a heavy weight pressing down on my chest. It was as if my body could barely keep up with the tempest of anger raging inside me.

Then, without warning, a primal scream erupted from my throat, raw and unrestrained, scratching at my vocal cords. The sound echoed in the silence of the room, a release that felt both liberating and exhausting. It was only after that cathartic explosion that I collapsed onto my bed, the mattress sinking beneath my weight.

For a moment, I lay there, fists clenched, my chest heaving as I struggled to regain my composure. Just as I thought I had found a semblance of peace, a soft, persistent knock broke through the haze of my anger.

A small, irritating knock.

I squeezed my eyes shut, frustration bubbling to the surface. Who could it possibly be? I hadn’t invited anyone, and my mood was far from welcoming. Yet, the knocking persisted, gentle yet unyielding, as if the person outside was too polite to give up but too timid to knock any harder.

With a reluctant sigh, I dragged myself off the bed and trudged to the door. Pressing my face against the peephole, I caught sight of a hotel staff member standing there, hands clasped nervously in front of him, as if he were afraid to even breathe.

I rolled my eyes so dramatically that it almost hurt. With an exasperated huff, I unlocked the door and opened it just enough to glare at him.

“What?” I snapped, my voice icy enough to chill the air around us.

“I apologize for the disturbance,” he said cautiously, his tone suggesting he thought I might explode again at any moment. “We heard loud noises and voices coming from your room. We wanted to check if everything was alright.”

I stared at him, incredulity washing over me. Was that supposed to be a genuine inquiry? If I was not okay, did he expect me to spill my emotional turmoil right there at the door? To invite him in for a heart-to-heart about my troubles?

I didn’t bother to respond. Instead, I let out a frustrated growl and slammed the door shut, the force echoing in the silence of the hallway. If he didn’t take the hint, that was his problem, not mine.

Deep down, I knew they weren’t checking on me out of genuine concern. No, they were probably worried that something in their precious room had been damaged. Well, their suspicions were misplaced, but that was the least of my concerns at the moment.

I returned to my bed and flopped down, staring blankly at the ceiling. My breathing gradually slowed, but the anger simmering inside me remained, a heavy, toxic weight pressing down on my chest.

This feeling… it was unlike anything I had experienced in a long time. It wasn’t just ordinary frustration or jealousy; it was something deeper, sharper. It was almost personal, like someone had plunged a knife between my ribs and twisted it for good measure.

Was this what it felt like to have a sister?

This bubbling hatred that was growing within me, a hatred that shouldn’t even exist. We hardly knew each other. She was blissfully unaware of my plans. She had no idea what I truly wanted. Yet, everything she did, every word she uttered, felt like a deliberate provocation, as if she were trying to push me toward an abyss of hatred.

And the worst part? It was working.

“You need to be careful about your actions now,” Jessica continued, her voice steady. “With this engagement, every move you make around Roman is a gamble. One wrong step, and he might tell Lauren. And once that happens, it’s game over.”

“And here I thought I had him right where I wanted him,” I muttered under my breath.

“After just two days?” Jessica replied, her sarcasm dripping from every word.

“Guys usually beg me after just a few minutes of meeting me,” I shot back, irritation flaring in my chest.

“Calm down,” she said quickly. “Don’t take your frustration out on me. We’re on the same team, remember? We just need to figure out your next step. But I’m serious — whatever you do, think carefully. Every move is a significant risk.”

I sank back down onto my bed, her words swirling in my mind like a tempest. A part of me wanted to scream again. Another part wanted to smash something else.

“If I’m already this close to being discovered,” I said slowly, “maybe I should cut off all communication with Lauren completely. Because if she finds out…”

“Are you really considering giving up on someone?” Jessica interjected, her voice sharp.

Her question struck me like a bolt of lightning.

Giving up?

That word felt foreign to me. I didn’t give up on people. I didn’t give up on men. And I certainly didn’t give up on someone I was genuinely interested in, especially when I had already entered the game.