No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 44

LAUREN'S POV

My nails dug into the skin of my palms as I clenched my fists, my chest heaving with silent sobs I refused to release.

She could have insulted me all she wanted. She could have mocked my past, called me names, twisted the truth. But bringing up my daughter, my Elena was unforgivable.

I came here to mourn my child. But instead, I walked straight into a trap.

And Ethan? He didn’t even notice. He didn’t see the wicked curl of Sofia’s lips. He only saw me, the woman he used to know, now a mother broken by loss, blamed for causing a scene.

“Are you okay?” Ethan asked, his eyes locked on Sofia, who was now clinging to him like a helpless child. I watched her carefully, every movement, every subtle shift in her expression. The smirk she had worn so confidently just moments ago quickly dissolved as soon as Ethan turned to look at her.

Her expression softened, and with a quivering voice, she responded, “No, I’m not. You didn’t tell me you were married to a crazy woman.”

Her voice trembled just enough to sound believable, and a tear trailed down her cheek, adding the perfect touch of vulnerability to her performance. I saw right through it, of course, but Ethan didn’t. His hand reached to rub her back

“I’m sorry about that,” he said gently, and then turned his eyes to me. The softness in his tone disappeared instantly. “Even I didn’t know I was married to a crazy woman.”

His words struck me like a slap to the face. My mouth opened to respond, to defend myself, to explain the truth. But before I could say a word, he raised his hand, his index finger raised in the air silencing me as if I were a child.

“Save it, Lauren,” he said sharply. “And let me warn you, just because I let you hit me more than once and let it slide doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate it again, especially not toward her. She means the world to me, and she’s carrying my child. My son. If you lay another finger on her, I swear you’ll be spending your nights behind bars. Do I make myself clear?” he said.

My entire body went cold.

He didn’t even hesitate. Not for a second. I had just lost my daughter, the only light in my life, and here he was, threatening me like I was some criminal.

I stared at him, stunned. I knew things between us were over. That much was clear. But some part of me had held on to the idea that maybe just maybe he would at least show me some level of compassion. That he would listen before judging. That he would try to understand.

I thought that he was going to at least find out what happened first before taking anyone’s side, especially on a sad day like this.

He sighed and waved me off. “Save it, Lauren. I’m tired of your accusations. I trust Sofia. She’s carrying my child. Why would she lie?”

Before I could scream in frustration, a voice came from behind me.

“I can back her up,” Tessa said.

I turned quickly, my heart lifting just a little. I had almost forgotten she had stepped outside to take a phone call.

Tessa walked confidently to my side, placing a supportive hand on my shoulder. Her presence alone gave me the strength I had lost just minutes ago.

“I’ve known Lauren long enough to say this with certainty,” she began, her voice calm and clear. “She doesn’t react violently unless she’s pushed. I’ve seen her endure a lot. She only fights back when she has been pushed to the edge. So, if she did what she did, then I believe, no, I know that Sofia must have said something cruel.”

I could have hugged Tessa right there. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t completely alone.