Chapter: Beautiful Life (Final Chapter) VIVIAN I took a deep breath as I looked down at my daughter, Callie, standing in front of me, her big blue eyes piercing through mine….Oh she looked just like me. “Mommy, you’re beautiful,” she said with a bright smile, her little hands clutching a bouquet of flowers. “Thank you, sweetheart,” I replied, my heart swelling with love. “You’re the most beautiful flower girl in the whole world.” As I gazed at her, I couldn’t help but marvel at how much she had grown in just three years. It felt like just yesterday that I held her in my arms for the first time, and now she was here, radiant and full of joy, ready to be part of my special day. Taking her hand, I walked slowly toward the church doors. The moment I stepped inside, a hush fell over the guests, and every head turned to face us. I felt like a scene from a movie, the soft light filtering through the stained glass illuminating the path before me. My heart raced as I took it all in, overwhelmed by the love that surroun
Last Updated: 2024-10-13
Chapter: Art Gallery THREE YEARS LATER The art gallery buzzed with excitement as guests admired the vibrant paintings, each piece telling a story of passion, struggle, and triumph. The space was beautifully lit, with soft music playing in the background. Clara stood at the front of the room, a warm smile on her face as she addressed the crowd.“Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight,” Clara began, her voice filled with emotion. She paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the people who had come to support her. “This gallery has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and seeing it come to life tonight is nothing short of surreal.”The audience clapped politely, and Clara took a breath, glancing at the art behind her before continuing. “I’ve always believed that art is a reflection of our journey….the ups, the downs, the moments that define who we are. And tonight, I’m honored to share that journey with all of you.”As the applause quieted down, Clara’s expression softened, and h
Last Updated: 2024-10-13
Chapter: Water Broke VIVIANWe barely had time to close the door before Jack's hands were all over me. His lips crashed against mine, hungry, desperate, as he backed me up against the wall, his body pressing firmly into mine. My heart raced, matching the rhythm of his rapid, heated kisses. He pulled my coat off, tossing it aside with a low growl as his fingers traced over my skin, igniting every inch of me.“I’ve been waiting for this all night,” he murmured against my lips, his hands slipping down to the tip of my dress, ready to pull it up.But just as the heat was building between us, Jack’s phone buzzed. He ignored it, not breaking the kiss, his hand already sliding up my thigh. The buzzing continued, persistent, as he groaned in frustration, finally glancing at the screen.“It’s the family lawyer,” he muttered.I stilled, pulling back just enough to catch my breath. “You should probably answer that.”Jack sighed, clearly annoyed, but nodded. He pulled out his phone, pressing the speaker button.
Last Updated: 2024-10-13
Chapter: Congratulations VIVIAN I stared down at Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, their faces pale with shock and fear, the heat from the bathroom still suffocating them as they struggled to breathe. The air felt thick, choking, but I could feel nothing but the cold satisfaction swelling inside me."Do you even know who I am?" I asked.Mrs. Anderson's tear-filled eyes darted to mine, confusion twisting her features. "Wha…What are you talking about?" she stammered.I knelt down, bringing my face closer to hers. "I'm Vivian Thompson," I said slowly, watching as the realization dawned in her eyes. "The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. The lawyers you murdered years ago... and made it look like an accident."A gasp escaped her lips, her face draining of any remaining color. She turned to her husband, who was equally as stunned, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to process my words.“No… no, that’s not true!” Mr. Anderson croaked, his voice hoarse from the heat. “We didn’t….”“Don’t lie,” I snapped,
Last Updated: 2024-10-13
Chapter: Open Secrets VIVIAN I followed Jack out of the room, my heart beating so fast as we made our way down the hallway to his parents’ bedroom. The weight of my swollen belly slowed me down, but the urgency in Jack’s stride kept me moving."Why would she be calling from inside the house?" Jack muttered under his breath, his brow furrowed in confusion.We reached the door to his parents’ room, but it was silent. Jack pushed it open, revealing an empty space. The bed was neatly made, and everything was in its place, but there was no sign of his parents.“Mom? Dad?” Jack called out, his voice echoing.No answer.I glanced around, a sense of unease crawling up my spine. "Jack… where are they?"Just as Jack was about to speak, we heard a faint voice coming from behind the bathroom door. His mother's voice, weak and strained. “Jack… we’re in here. Help us…”Jack’s eyes darted to me, his expression filled with worry. We moved closer to the bathroom door, and Jack knocked softly. “Mom? What happened? Why
Last Updated: 2024-10-13
Chapter: For Vivian SEBASTIAN I sat on the edge of the couch, my leg bouncing as I kept glancing at the clock. Two minutes late. Not that I was counting…okay, I was, but only because I couldn’t wait to see her. This was, what, our tenth time meeting? And yet, the butterflies in my stomach still showed up every single time.I leaned back, rubbing my palms together. Tonight was the night. I was finally going to ask Clara out….make this official. Vivian had been the one to introduce us, though she still swore it wasn’t a setup. I knew better, though, and I wasn’t complaining. Not one bit.Just then, I heard the door click open. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I turned toward the sound. I’d given her a key a few days ago, so now she had free access to my place. Too soon? Maybe, but it just felt... right.As she stepped inside, looking as perfect as always, I tried to play it cool, but my grin betrayed me. "Two minutes late," I said, crossing my arms in
Last Updated: 2024-10-12
Second Chances Under the Tree
"I like her," I said as I sat across from my mother unable to keep the frustration from boiling over.
"Like who?"
"Callie," I admitted, my chest tightening as I said her name.
Her expression froze for a moment before she set the papers aside and leaned forward. "You’re joking, right? Callie is your brother’s girlfriend."
"I don’t care," I snapped. "I can’t stand seeing him with her. She should be mine, and I’m not going to just sit back and watch them together."
"Well, well. This is interesting." She sat back, steepling her fingers. "You really want her all to yourself?"
"More than anything," I confessed.
A slow smile crept across her face, and it sent a chill down my spine. "Don’t worry. I have a plan.”
Whatever she had in mind, I knew it wouldn’t be simple. But if it meant having Callie… I was willing to do whatever it took.
****************
Callie was given a choice by her new boss: either lose her job or act as his escort for his family’s Christmas and New Year celebrations, pretending to be his girlfriend.
Left with no other option, she reluctantly agrees to be his escort but what she doesn’t realize is that she’s walking straight into a trap.
Dive into a story of love, betrayal, romance, suspense, and a Christmas miracle. Second Chances Under the Tree is a gripping and intriguing read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
Read
Chapter: Unstoppable CALLIEI slapped Sebastian’s chest, the frustration bubbling inside me. “You should’ve just told me all this sooner! You could’ve spared me all the stress and drama.”He winced slightly, “I didn’t want to tell you because I knew you’d be scared. You wouldn’t have agreed to let my guy shoot her. Not here, not today.”I was about to retort when I glanced around, my gaze landing on the guests who still remained eerily silent. My heart tightened with a sudden wave of discomfort. “Wait… have the guests been informed about all of this? About what’s happening?”Sebastian gave me that damn smile of his, the one that made everything seem like it was under control. “Oh, they know. I had to tell them. I didn’t want there to be chaos when it all went down.”I narrowed my eyes. “You’re not serious,” I muttered, lightly hitting his head playfully. "You had to make sure everything went according to plan, even the guests."He chuckled softly. “Callie, you’re the one who’s always thinking things throu
Last Updated: 2024-12-30
Chapter: Prove CALLIEMy eyes were locked on Charlotte, blood staining the carpet around her. Why wasn’t anyone else reacting? Then, without warning, the doors burst open.Police officers flooded the room. I didn’t even have time to breathe before Nora walked in. She was followed by two other officers, their hands ready on their holsters.She moved toward Charlotte, her eyes scanning the scene slowly. The entire room seemed to tense as the officers approached Charlotte, who was still writhing on the floor, her hands desperately clutching at her bleeding legs."Charlotte Lawson," Nora’s voice rang out, echoing through the room, "You are under arrest for attempted murder. You’re also charged with the murder of Damon Wright and the murder of your son, Lucas Lawson."My heart skipped a beat. Attempted murder? Who’s Damon? Charlotte let out a painful, strangled scream as Nora and the officers knelt beside her. Her eyes were wide with terror, disbelief written all over her face. She tried to push hersel
Last Updated: 2024-12-30
Chapter: The shotCALLIEIt was my day. My fucking wedding day.They were doing my makeup, but I couldn’t stop staring at my reflection. The brushes moved across my face like they were supposed to, but my mind kept drifting, wondering how the hell I had ended up here. This was supposed to be the day I’d dreamed about since I was a little girl, the perfect celebration of love and happiness. But instead, all I could think about was how surreal it felt. Was this really happening? Was I really about to marry Sebastian?The makeup artist was still blending foundation on my cheeks, oblivious to the whirlwind in my head. The soft smell of flowers, the faint noise of voices around me…it all seemed like a dream.How did I get here? How had I gone from feeling like I was losing everything to standing here, about to walk down the aisle with the man who’d promised me forever?I caught my reflection again, my eyes roaming over the dress. It was beautiful, something I never thought I’d get to wear.The past few mon
Last Updated: 2024-12-30
Chapter: One clean shotSEBASTIANI kept my eyes on the road, but my attention was mostly on Callie. She was sitting there quiet, her fingers tapping nervously against her knee. I knew she was still upset about Charlotte… hell, I was too…but this surprise... it was meant to take her mind off things. It was meant to make her forget all about that witch and focus on us.I glanced over at her, and for a moment, our eyes met. I could see the worry still clouding her thoughts, but her lips curled up just slightly. That was all I needed. I wasn’t giving up. I had promised her everything, and I would keep that promise.I loved Callie more than anything. The thought of her standing by my side for the rest of our lives filled me with a sense of pride I couldn’t put into words. But today… today was about proving it. I wasn’t just going to let some meddling woman ruin our joy. Not today. Not ever.I pulled up to the curb, the tires rolling over the gravel, and stopped in front of the building. My heart was racing, my
Last Updated: 2024-12-30
Chapter: 21 cakesCALLIEThe bell chimed softly as we stepped into the cake shop, the rich scent of vanilla and chocolate filled the air. The baker, a cheerful woman in her forties with flour dusting her apron, welcomed us with a bright smile.“Good afternoon!” she greeted. “You must be the Thompsons?”“That’s us,” Sebastian replied, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Or at least, soon-to-be Thompsons.”I smiled, still thinking about my wedding dress. I had just bought my dream wedding gown… a simple but stunning straight dress. I couldn’t wait to wear it as I walked down the aisle to marry the man standing beside me.The baker ushered us to a cozy table near the counter, where a variety of cake samples had already been laid out. “Alright, let’s get started. These are some of our most popular flavors. Feel free to let me know if there’s something specific you’d like to try.”We sat down, and I immediately reached for a small fork, eager to dive in. Sebastian, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair
Last Updated: 2024-12-30
Chapter: A family CALLIEI was in the kitchen, still in my pajamas, hair tied up in a loose bun, trying to focus on slicing tomatoes without nicking my fingers.The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and I found it comforting as I hummed softly to myself.I was just about to layer the slices onto the bread when a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me gently against a warm chest.“My fiancée,” Sebastian’s deep voice purred into my ear, sending a shiver down my spine, “what are you cooking?”I smiled, not even bothering to turn around. “My fiancé,” I replied, mimicking his tone, “I’m making sandwiches for breakfast.”He chuckled, the sound vibrating against my back. “Sandwiches?” he murmured, his lips grazing my neck. “I don’t want to eat sandwiches.”I paused, raising an eyebrow as I turned slightly to look at him. “Oh? What do you want to eat then?”Sebastian grinned, his dark eyes gleaming mischievously as he leaned closer. “You.”I rolled my eyes, though I cou
Last Updated: 2024-12-30
Chapter: SuspicionCALLIE “What’s happening?” I demanded.Tony stepped back into the room, closing the door softly behind him. “My men have located your brother and… secured him.”“Secured him?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “What does that mean?”He watched me, and walked closer to me. “It means, Callie, that if you say the word, they can make sure he’s… taken care of. For good.”I had told myself over and over how much I despised my brother, how I wanted nothing to do with him after everything he’d done to me. He and my ex-fiancé had betrayed me, turned my life into a living nightmare. He’d taken everything from me….my father, my peace. But death? Could I really cross that line? “You don’t have to decide right now,” Tony said, his tone surprisingly gentle. “But if you want them gone, they will be.”I looked away, trying to process the swirl of emotions tearing me apart.I took a shaky breath, trying to anchor myself, but it felt like the room was spinning.I turned to Tony, meeting his
Last Updated: 2024-11-07
Chapter: I wanted youCALLIE His eyes softened as he looked at me and then he repeated it, a bit more quietly this time. “I’m sorry, Callie.”I was silent, unsure of how to respond. Tony, apologizing? It was… unexpected, but as his words sank in, a wave of anger crashed over me."Sorry?" I shot back, my voice rising. "You think you can just walk in here, say 'I'm sorry,' and that somehow makes this all okay?"His expression shifted, a flicker of confusion, of hurt, in his eyes. But I was past caring. The dam had broken."Do you really think 'sorry' cuts it? You forced me into this marriage, Tony! You manipulated me, threatened me. You put a gun to my head…." my voice broke, but I forced myself to keep going, letting every ounce of anger I’d bottled up pour out. "You threatened to kill my dog. And now you think an apology is going to make me feel… what? Grateful? Forgiving?"He opened his mouth, looking as if he wanted to respond, but I wasn’t done."You don’t get to stand there and act like this is some
Last Updated: 2024-11-06
Chapter: I'm sorryTONYThe door to my office opened quietly, and Frank walked inside, shutting it behind him with a smirk that told me he’d already heard the news.“Congratulations on the wedding,” he said, approaching me with that steady stride of his and settling into the chair across from my desk.I looked up, an amused smile tugging at my lips. “Thanks, Frank,” I replied, leaning back in my chair. “Though, I think congratulations might be a bit premature. It’s not exactly a traditional ceremony, after all.”Frank lifted his head, and crossed his arms across his chest. “You know, Tony, I still don’t understand what’s going on here. When I first heard you were getting married, I thought it was a joke. Figured maybe it was part of one of your schemes.”He shook his head, and I could tell that he was so confused. “But then, before I knew it, the priest was around, ready to join you and Callie… and now here we are.” He leaned forward, his eyes still locked on mine.“I can’t help but wonder if there’s m
Last Updated: 2024-11-06
Chapter: The Contract TONYThe second Callie saw me, her face turned from sleepy confusion to pure shock. She quickly sat up, clutching the sheets around her tightly, “What…what the hell, Tony?” she stammered. "What are you doing here?"I didn’t say a word. I just held her gaze, letting the silence speak for me. Then I gave a quick nod to my men. Instantly, they stepped forward, and moved towards her.“No, wait….” Callie tried to pull back, but it was no use. They grabbed her, her hands clawing at the sheets as they lifted her from the bed.“Tony!” she yelled, twisting in their grip. “You can’t do this!”I watched calmly as they carried her out, ignoring her protests and thrashing.When they reached the car, they pushed her into the back seat, and I slid in beside her, closing the door.As the car started moving, she glared at me, breathing hard. “You think you can just kidnap me?” she snapped, her eyes blazing with anger.I turned to her, meeting her stare. “I think you’ll find out that I can do whatever
Last Updated: 2024-11-05
Chapter: StrangerCALLIE I parked my car in an open parking lot, the knife still clutched tightly in my hand as I glared at the stranger sitting in my passenger seat."Talk. Now," I demanded, my voice low and threatening. “Who are you, and why the hell are you in my car?”He raised his hands slowly again. “I'm sorry,” he began, his voice steady despite the tension hanging thick in the air.“I’m truly sorry for breaking into your car. I had no choice.”I narrowed my eyes. “No choice?” I scoffed. “You expect me to believe that?”He sighed, lowering his hands slightly but keeping his gaze locked on mine. “I was passing in front of that building,” he explained. “I saw a man kill one of the guards. I was about to run, but then someone came out, saw me, and assumed I was the one who did it. They started chasing me.”I frowned, my grip on the knife loosening slightly. “And you hid in my car?”He nodded. “I had to. I was running for my life. I didn’t know where else to go. I thought I’d wait it out until thi
Last Updated: 2024-10-24
Chapter: A mistake CALLIE My hands rested in my lap, trembling slightly as I stared at the floor. The anger pumping through my veins was the only thing keeping me from completely unraveling.No one believed me.Not the doctors, not the police….no one. It didn’t matter that I saw it with my own eyes. Liam and Ethan had killed my father, and they were getting away with it. My brother, the heir to the empire my father had built, was playing the part of the grieving son, while my ex-fiancé, the man who betrayed me in the worst way possible, was probably celebrating his victory.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as my mind replayed every detail of that night. My father’s frail body, the coldness in Liam’s eyes, Ethan’s betrayal. I had told the police everything, poured my soul out, but they brushed me off, claiming I was just a grieving daughter, too emotional to see the truth."Jealous of your brother?" the detective had asked. "It’s common in families like yours. Sibling rivalry, he
Last Updated: 2024-10-24
LOGIN
