Chapter 117

Roman's POV

Just after getting home from Lauren’s place, I loosened my tie with a sharp tug, the tension in my chest refusing to let up. I shrugged off my jacket and tossed it onto the couch, but my mind was still trapped in the car, haunted by what I had uncovered only minutes ago.

The ride back had been nothing more than a blur. The city lights, the movement of traffic, even the voices of people passing along the sidewalks, all of it felt distant, like I was submerged in water. Because the whole time, one image replayed itself over and over: the blog page, the headline, the truth staring me in the face.

Lauren Darrow. Ex-wife of Ethan Black.

I sank down onto the edge of the couch, elbows resting on my knees, and let out a long exhale. I had discovered something I never thought would ever cross my mind.

When I first met Lauren at that club five years ago, she had looked… young. Tired, yes, almost like the world was pressing her shoulde