Lahat ng Kabanata ng No Second Chances, Ex-husband: Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

LAUREN'S POVAfter I was done with the meeting, I stepped out of the boardroom, finally free for the day. My body felt heavy, the kind of exhaustion that sank into your shoulders and made even walking feel like a task. What I needed more than anything was a long, cold shower once I got back home — a chance to let the stress slide off me. The thought of the water rushing over me was comforting enough that I almost forgot I wasn’t alone in the corridor.But of course, I didn’t make it very far before someone stopped me.“Lauren,” a voice called from behind me.I turned around, a little startled, and saw the manager approaching. His shoes clicked softly against the floor as he closed the distance between us. I straightened my posture quickly and pulled up a polite smile.“Good presentation today, congratulations,” he said once he reached me. His tone was even, not overly warm, but certainly not dismissive either.Unlike the manager back at the headquarters — who was cold, calculating, a

LAUREN'S POV“Have you had something to eat?” I asked her softly, brushing a loose strand of her dark hair from her face.She shook her head quickly, those big curious eyes of hers blinking up at me.“Mummy’s sorry,” I whispered, kissing her forehead. “Come on, let’s go make something together.”I stood up, balancing her weight easily as I set her back down on the ground. Her little shoes tapped against the floor as she grabbed my hand, and together we walked into the kitchen.It’s funny, ever since Aria turned three, I’ve hated going to work. Not because I dislike what I do — no, I’ve poured five years of sweat into building my career here in Italy but because work always steals time away from her. My hours are long, my responsibilities heavier than I ever imagined. By the time I come home, I’m often late. Sometimes her teacher drops her off, and she ends up waiting alone in the house until I return.The thought of her wandering these rooms without me always tears at my heart. Yes, I

LAUREN'S POV I still stood there on the spot, frozen, my mind going in circles, asking myself if this job was really worth it. Was it really worth all the sacrifices? The late nights, the loneliness, the way I barely had time to watch my daughter grow? Like the manager just said, I could drop the job and look for another. I had the money, I had the qualifications, I had the reputation. So why was I disturbing myself, tearing my peace apart, being pushed around like a chess piece on their board? Why should I leave everything I had built here… because of what? Because the headquarters suddenly decided they needed me? “Are you there?” The manager’s voice cut sharply into my thoughts, dragging me back to reality. “Yes,” I said finally, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. I rubbed my arm absentmindedly, trying to ground myself. “Please, do this for all of us. We would really appreciate it,” the manager said, his tone almost pleading now. I let out a small sigh, the sound he

LAUREN'S POV The calm yet firm voice of the captain echoed through the speakers, announcing that we were about to land. The words stirred me out of the light nap I had been clinging to, my eyes blinking open slowly as I adjusted to the dimmed lights of the cabin. I turned my head to the right, where Aria sat beside me, her tiny head resting against the cushioned seat. She was still sound asleep, her lips parted slightly, her breathing soft and even. She looked so peaceful, completely unaware of the whirlwind that had consumed our lives in just a matter of hours. We had left my place before dawn, rushing through the quiet streets to make sure we didn’t miss our flight. Everything felt hurried, messy. Aria barely had time to rub the sleep out of her eyes, and I barely had the chance to think. If anyone should be resting right now, it was her. A child her age shouldn’t have to be dragged across countries, pulled away from familiar places and routines. She was too young to be caught i

ETHAN'S POVThe metallic clink of my Zippo lighter echoed through the living room, sharp and steady, like a drumbeat that matched the restless pounding of my thoughts. Open. Close. Open. Close. The flame barely lasted a second each time before I snapped the lid shut, but the sound filled every corner of the silent house. My hand moved automatically, more out of habit than anything, while my legs stayed crossed, and my chin rested heavily against my palm. My gaze kept drifting between the clock on the wall and the front door, as though sheer willpower could make it swing open sooner.On the outside, I might have looked calm, collected even. The kind of man who had everything under control. But inside, that was far from the truth. Beneath my stillness, the rage inside me was bubbling, pressing hard against the surface, and I was barely keeping it from boiling over.The maids had already sensed it. They always did. I told them to remain in the kitchen and stay there until I had cooled of