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.
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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.
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Chapter: What's wrong?CALLIEI couldn’t help but laugh as I leaned back on the couch. “What do you mean by that? You’re something else.”He grinned at my reaction, his sharp features softening. “Who knows? You might start crying again tonight. You’re just a softie.”His playful tone was such a contrast to everything that had happened that I couldn’t stop smiling. For a moment, it felt like we’d stepped out of the storm. The warmth in his gaze, the way his lips curved just enough to let me know he was teasing… it was exactly what I needed.But before I could respond, Sebastian closed the space between us. His hand gently cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear I didn’t even know was there. “I mean it, Callie,” he murmured, his voice low, sending a shiver down my spine. “I love you. More than anything. We’re going to get through this together. You hear me?”His eyes bore into mine, searching, waiting for my answer.I nodded, my throat tightening with emotion. “I love you baby,” I whispered.An
Last Updated: 2024-12-14
Chapter: White and BlackSEBASTIAN I opened the door, and there she was… Charlotte. Her hair was disheveled, her face pale, and her eyes bloodshot, swollen from tears. “Sebastian!” she spat my name, her voice cracking with raw emotion. Her eyes darted to Callie, who stood frozen behind me. “You… both of you… you’ve done it. You’ve killed my son!”“Charlotte, stop,” I said firmly, stepping in front of Callie to shield her. “We didn’t…”“LIARS!” she screamed, her voice cutting through the tension. She shoved past me into the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.Callie took a step forward, her own tears flowing freely. “We didn’t do this, Charlotte. I swear to you, we had nothing to do with Ethan’s death…”“Shut up!” Charlotte whirled on Callie, her face twisted in grief and rage. “How dare you even speak to me? You! You’re the reason my son is gone!”“Charlotte, that’s not true!” Callie’s voice cracked as she tried to defend herself.“Not true?” Charlotte sneered, her lips curling in disdain. “D
Last Updated: 2024-12-13
Chapter: ComplicatedCALLIEA scream tore from my throat, echoing through the empty warehouse. My hands clutched the edges of my coat as if they could hold me together. My knees pressed against the cold concrete floor, the image in front of me searing itself into my mind."What the hell is happening?" My voice cracked, the words ripping out of me like shards of glass. "Why is Ethan here? He was supposed to be… "My thoughts fractured, and I pressed a hand to my mouth, trying to suppress the rising panic. My stomach churned as I stared at his lifeless body.Sebastian's hurried footsteps echoed behind me, and then he was there, dropping to his knees beside me.He froze beside me. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he didn’t move. It was as if the sight of Ethan’s bloodied body had rendered him incapable of action.“Oh my God,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “Ethan? No, no… this can’t be happening.”I turned to him, my voice trembling. “Sebastian… he’s dead. Ethan’s dead. What are we supposed to do?” His
Last Updated: 2024-12-13
Chapter: Stay StrongCALLIEThe phone buzzed in my hand, its vibration thrumming against my palm. I glanced at Sebastian, his eyes dark and focused as he gave a slight nod. Taking a deep breath, I pressed the phone to my ear."Hello?"Silence."Hello?" I tried again, my voice louder this time. The only response was the faint sound of breathing. My heart rate spiked, my fingers gripping the phone tighter. "Who is this?"Still nothing.The silence stretched for another second before the line went dead. I stared at the screen, the unknown number taunting me.Sebastian leaned forward. "Who was it?"I shook my head, my stomach twisting. "No one said anything. They just... hung up."His jaw tightened, and he reached out to take my hand. "Let me see the number."Before I could hand him the phone, it buzzed again. This time, a message notification lit up the screen. My blood ran cold as I opened it.Unknown:Go to 152 Riverwood Lane tonight. Come alone, or someone you care about gets hurt.My breath caught in my
Last Updated: 2024-12-12
Chapter: Answer itCALLIEI woke up to the gentle warmth of Sebastian’s lips pressing against my forehead, then my cheeks, and finally, my lips. His voice was soft but insistent.“Wake up, Callie,” he murmured. “We’ve got a flight to catch.”I groaned, stretching lazily as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. My muscles ached in the best way possible, a reminder of last night’s escapades in the bathroom. It had been… intense. Sebastian had a way of making every moment feel like an adventure, and that bath had been no exception.As I sat up, my eyes met his, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Good morning,” I said, my voice still raspy from sleep.He smiled back, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “Good morning, beautiful.”His gaze lingered, filled with a tenderness that made my heart flutter. It was moments like these that reminded me why, despite all the chaos and danger, I couldn’t imagine my life without him.“You slept like a rock,” he teased, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I was
Last Updated: 2024-12-12
Chapter: Challenge Accepted CALLIEI was exhausted, my body aching from the stress of the day. Every part of me wanted to collapse, to just curl up and forget about everything, but I couldn't. Not now. Not with Sebastian at my side, looking as worn out as I felt. I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his eyes seemed to cloud over with the weight of the pressure pressing down on him.But it wasn’t just the stress from his father. It was the way everything was falling apart, how our lives seemed to be spiraling out of control… and I couldn’t help but feel like I was the reason for all of it. If I hadn’t made that stupid mistake at the club, if I hadn’t gotten involved with Sebastian in the first place, none of this would be happening.I closed my eyes for a moment, my fingers curling around his as we walked through the empty parking lot toward yet another hotel. The guilt squeezed at my chest, but I refused to let it break me. I couldn’t.I wasn’t going to let Sebastian go through this alone.When we reach
Last Updated: 2024-12-12
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
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
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