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Chapter Forty One
Dernière mise à jour:
2024-11-08 00:11:50
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A Second Chance Chapter Forty Two
Amaliah stood at the lectern, double-checking her slides on her laptop one last time before starting her presentation. Nerves churned inside her, but she trusted herself enough not to let them get the best of her. Caesar had even reassured her, confident she'd do well, and she was determined not to let him down.Her heart pounded as the double doors to the conference room opened, and the board members filed in with expressions that gave nothing away. These were the same people who had watched her stumble through her previous presentation’s opening minutes, and she could almost feel their silent doubts, wondering if today would be a repeat—and if Caesar might consider giving her presentation to someone else.But she had other plans. That wasn’t going to happen; she was set on making sure everyone left this room impressed. Caesar and Francine entered last, and as the doors closed behind them, she watched them take their seats before she took a steadying breath and dimmed the lights with
Dernière mise à jour : 2024-11-09A Second Chance Chapter Forty Three
Amaliah set her iced tea down, her gaze fixed on Caesar. “Was it because of you that Ms. Rodriguez called Mark to her office?” she asked.“No,” Caesar replied firmly. “She heard the rumors and assured me she’d handle it herself. I had nothing to do with it.”Amaliah tilted her head thoughtfully. “He seemed very upset when he came back. I wonder what she said to him.” she mused.“Whatever it was, it should stop him from spreading more lies about you,” Caesar said with a reassuring tone. “But honestly, out of a thousand employees in the company, why did he choose to target you?”Amaliah shrugged, muttering under her breath, “He thinks I’m a snob. He doesn’t like that I won’t answer his million questions about my personal life.” “He should spend less time gossiping and more time focusing on his work,” Caesar said sharply, only to pause as his phone vibrated in his jacket pocket. He ignored it at first, unwilling to let anything interrupt the moment with Amaliah. But when the buzzing pe
Dernière mise à jour : 2024-12-16A Second Chance Chapter Forty Four
"Why have you been ignoring my calls, Caesar?" Anastasia demanded, frustration evident in her tone. "You never used to do that.""Past tense. I do it now," Caesar shot back coldly. His voice was sharp, laced with finality. "And before you ask why—it's because you mean nothing to me anymore.""That's not true!" she retorted, her voice rising. "I'm your fiancée." Lifting her hand, she showed him the ring glinting on her finger. "Remember this? You put it on my finger on national television. The whole world knows we're engaged."Caesar raked his fingers through his hair, his jaw tightening as he struggled to hold back the anger bubbling inside him. His gaze flicked to Sarah, who sat at her desk, feigning disinterest as she worked on her computer. Taking Anastasia into his office to continue this conversation was an option, but he knew better. She’d likely attempt to manipulate him again."Sarah," he said, his voice strained but controlled, "can you give us some privacy? If you have work
Dernière mise à jour : 2024-12-26A Second Chance Chapter Forty Five
Willowridge Manor stood as a testament to timeless elegance, nestled amidst the rolling hills of Fairfield’s idyllic countryside. Spanning two acres of lush, meticulously maintained land, the estate exuded a quiet grandeur that was impossible to ignore.A long cobblestone driveway, lined with ancient willow trees, led to the stately manor. The house itself was a masterpiece of colonial architecture, its whitewashed facade accented with ivy creeping up its stone columns. Large bay windows reflected the golden rays of the sun, while a pair of wrought-iron lanterns flanked the grand oak door, offering a warm, inviting glow at night.The gardens surrounding the manor were a botanical paradise. Vibrant roses in every hue imaginable spilled over trellises, their fragrance carried on the gentle breeze. Lavender bushes bordered the winding stone pathways, which meandered through clusters of hydrangeas and peonies. In the center of the garden stood a marble fountain, its cascading water a so
Dernière mise à jour : 2024-12-31A Second Chance Chapter Forty Six
Caesar pulled into an empty spot in the hospital's underground parking lot and switched off the ignition. Reaching into the back seat, he grabbed a small bag and retrieved a baseball cap from inside. He knew Amaliah would likely laugh at his attempt to disguise himself, but this was for her safety as much as his.As a well-known figure, he despised being in the spotlight, and a visit to the hospital would spark headlines within the hour. If anyone spotted him and Amaliah leaving together, the situation would escalate even further.Sliding the cap onto his head and adjusting a nose mask over his face, Caesar stepped out of the car, shut the door, and locked it before heading toward the sliding doors that led to the elevator. He pressed the call button, and once the elevator arrived, he stepped inside and selected the fifth floor, where Amaliah had texted she would be.A smile tugged at his lips as he thought about her message asking if he was sure about coming to her appointment. He ha
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-01-11A Second Chance Chapter Forty Seven
Amaliah’s brows furrowed in concentration as her fingers flew hastily across the keyboard. She was typing up her report for the upcoming meeting with Caesar in two days, and she needed to get it just right. The faint hum of the office AC provided a soothing background, but the pressing need to pee broke her focus. Sighing, she pushed her chair back and stood.“This better still be here when I get back,” she muttered, quickly locking the screen before hurrying to the restroom.When she returned five minutes later, her steps faltered at the sight of her computer screen—black and lifeless. A sinking feeling settled in her chest as she approached her desk. She distinctly remembered leaving it on. Panic began to rise as she pressed the power button, but nothing happened.Her fingers trembled slightly as she muttered, “Did I save before leaving? I... I don’t think I did.” She groaned softly. If the last few edits were lost, she'd have to start over from the middle of the report—a frustratin
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-01-30A Second Chance Chapter Forty Eight
Amaliah and Mark exchanged a tense glance.“Do you have any idea who it might be?” she asked.Nathan shook his head. “Not yet. But I’m conducting a full audit of the network and office equipment. Whoever did this left a trail, and I’ll find them.”Amaliah gave a firm nod. “Let me know if you need anything from me. I just want this handled.”“You’ll be the first to know,” Nathan assured her before striding away.As the day progressed, Amaliah struggled to concentrate on rebuilding the corrupted sections of her report, but the lingering unease wouldn’t fade. Someone in the office had tried to sabotage her work—and until Nathan uncovered the culprit, she couldn’t afford to trust anyone.~~~~~As the car rolled to a stop in front of her house, Amaliah stepped out and closed the door behind her, offering a grateful smile to Caesar’s chauffeur. She still couldn’t believe Caesar had arranged for her to be driven home after work—it was such a thoughtful gesture, especially after the exhaustin
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-02-06A Second Chance Chapter Forty Nine
Caesar paced his office restlessly, his phone gripped tightly in his hand. The moment Sarah’s email had landed in his inbox, detailing how someone had sabotaged Amaliah’s report, he had tried calling her. But she had declined his call.That single action had sent his concern into overdrive. Had she found out? Did she think he was involved? Has the stress affected her and the babies? His mind raced with worst-case scenarios, his gut twisting with unease.Determined to get answers, he had immediately contacted Nathan, the head of IT. Nathan had assured him that only a section of Amaliah’s work had been corrupted and that he was actively investigating who was responsible. But that did little to ease Caesar’s frustration.“Damn it, Amaliah. Why won’t you just answer?” he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with frustration.Before he could dwell any further, the door to his office swung open, and his sister, Sofia, strode in. The sharp click of her heels echoed against the polished
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-02-11
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A Second Chance Chapter Fifty Nine
The midday sun bathed the rooftop garden in a golden glow, transforming it into a serene retreat above the hum of the tech company below. At a sleek glass table, Amaliah sat across from Caesar, the remnants of their lunch scattered between them. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh flowers, lifting strands of her hair, and for the first time in a long while, she felt… at peace.Returning to work had been refreshing, yet a part of her still longed for Tuscany. She wondered, almost absentmindedly, if Caesar would ever take her back. After their return, he had hired a landscaper to fill the once-barren rooftop with flowers—simply because she had mentioned, in passing, that it would make the space more beautiful. But he hadn't stopped there. A gazebo had been built, complete with a glass table and two chairs. When he had shown it to her, she had been speechless, overwhelmed by the thoughtful gesture.Her fingers instinctively found the pendant resting against her skin. She had neve
A Second Chance Chapter Fifty Eight
Amaliah’s unease deepened as the car wound its way through the increasingly narrow and secluded roads. Something felt off. Too isolated. Too far from the resort. They’d been driving for hours, and there was still no sign of the helipad Marco had claimed they were heading toward.“Marco?” she called out, her voice tight, laced with suspicion. “Where exactly is this helipad?”Silence.Her heart kicked up a notch. She glanced at the girls beside her—both lightly dozing—and reached for her phone again.No signal. Still nothing.“Marco, stop the car,” she said, this time with more urgency. “Right now.”He didn’t respond.She leaned forward, gently nudging the girls awake, her instincts screaming.Then she caught it—his eyes in the rearview mirror. Cold. Distant. Unfamiliar.“Stop the damn car!” she snapped, panic lacing her voice.When he still didn’t, she unbuckled her seatbelt, lunged forward, and yanked the gear out of drive.The vehicle jolted violently, skidding to a halt.“Out—get ou
A Second Chance Chapter Fifty Seven
Caesar lay stretched out on the living room couch, cradling a sleepy Amaliah against his chest as soft jazz filled the quiet space. The girls had already gone to bed after giggling their way through a movie, leaving the night to wind down in a rare, peaceful stillness.“You look tense,” Amaliah murmured, sensing the weight in his silence.He hesitated for a moment before responding. “I ran into Anastasia earlier. She seemed… unsettled. But someone like her doesn’t back down easily.”Amaliah sat up slightly, concern flickering in her eyes as her brows drew together. “Do you think she’ll try something?”“I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice low. “But I’m not taking any chances. When we leave tomorrow, I want you and the girls with me—in the same car. No splitting up.”She nodded, resting her hand gently over his. “Okay. I trust you.”His voice was low, steady. “I’ll keep you safe, Amaliah. No matter what.”Later that night, when the house had gone still and the world outside lay quiet
A Second Chance Chapter Fifty Six
“Are you okay?” Bryan murmured softly beside her.“No,” she said on a soft breath, a faint laugh escaping her lips. “But it felt damn good.”From the stage, Caesar’s eyes never wavered from Amaliah. His smile shifted—no longer playful, but reverent, awestruck. He looked at her like a man who had just been handed the moon.As he stepped down and began walking toward her table, the crowd instinctively made way. He moved with purpose, never hesitating. When he reached her, he leaned in, took her hand gently, and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles.“I didn’t know you had that in you,” he said, voice low, just for her ears.“Neither did I,” she whispered back. “But there was no way I was letting her win.”Their eyes locked. Then, without warning, he pulled her into a kiss—brief but breath-stealing, bold and unapologetic in front of everyone.“I’ll pay you back,” he teased, his smile wicked and warm.“You better,” she replied with a smirk.Across the room, Anastasia stood frozen, her
A Second Chance Chapter Fifty Five
“Girls, look!” Amaliah pointed out the window as their car wound through the rolling hills of Tuscany. The late afternoon sun bathed the landscape in hues of gold and green, with vineyards stretching endlessly across the countryside.“Wow,” Amaliah breathed, her eyes wide as a picturesque resort came into view, its vines sprawling across the distant hills.Madisyn and Micaela pressed their faces to the windows, captivated.“Mommy, it looks like a castle!” Madisyn gasped. “Is this where we’re staying?”“With princess gardens! It’s like a fairy tale,” Micaela added in awe.Caesar glanced at them through the rearview mirror, a smile tugging at his lips. “That’s right. This is where you’ll be pretending to be royalty for the next few days.”Micaela giggled. “Can we have pizza for dinner?”“Only if you ask in Italian,” Caesar teased, casting a playful glance at Amaliah, who sat beside him, her hand gently resting on her slightly rounded belly.She chuckled softly. “You’re enjoying this, ar
A Second Chance Chapter Fifty Four
Caesar stood by the office window, the phone pressed tightly to his ear. His jaw tensed with each unanswered ring. This was the fifth call. He’d already tried four times, but Sofia hadn’t picked up once. She’d made it painfully clear she was upset—still, he couldn’t stop trying.“Come on, Sofia,” he muttered under his breath. “Just pick up.”Finally, the call connected.“Sofia,” he breathed, relief softening his voice.There was a long pause before her cold response cut through the line. “What do you want, Caesar?”“I’ve been trying to reach you. Can we talk? Please.”“What’s there to talk about?” Her voice was sharp. “Are you still seeing Amaliah?”The directness of her question knocked the wind out of him. He hesitated, but only for a second. “Yes… I am.”“Then we have nothing to talk about.”“Sofia, wait—please,” he pleaded, voice gentler now. “You’re my sister. I know you don’t approve, but Amaliah isn’t the villain in this story. She’s not who you think—”“You made your choice,”
A Second Chance Chapter Fifty Three
Amaliah had no clue how Francine had managed to persuade Caesar to bring in a new hire for the digital marketing team. But when she returned to work on Monday—following the mandatory day off Caesar had insisted she take on Friday—she was startled to find a woman occupying Mark’s former desk.The newcomer’s high ponytail bounced with every movement as she swayed to the rhythm of whatever music played through her headphones, completely lost in her own world.Curious but not eager to engage, Amaliah held back, choosing to observe for now. She could only hope this new hire knew how to mind her own business. Just as she reached for her phone to text Caesar—wanting to avoid dealing with Francine as well—a high-pitched voice nearly made her jump."Hello!" The woman greeted her with an infectious enthusiasm. "I'm Minerva. Just joined the company today."Amaliah forced a polite smile. "Nice to meet you, Minerva. I'm—""I know who you are," Minerva interrupted before she could finish. "You're A
A Second Chance Chapter Fifty Two
A week later Amaliah nestled into a quiet corner of the Chinese restaurant, absently tracing the menu’s edge with her fingers as she browsed the options. She rarely dined alone, but with Caesar tied up in meetings, she was left to fend for herself for lunch.The restaurant was warm and inviting, filled with the rich aromas of stir-fried vegetables, soy sauce, and freshly steamed dumplings. Around her, the soft hum of conversation mingled with the rhythmic clinking of chopsticks and ceramic bowls, forming an atmosphere that should have been comforting.Yet, something felt off.She had just settled on ordering kung pao chicken with a side of vegetable spring rolls when, on impulse, she glanced toward the window.Her breath caught.Across the street, near the curb, stood a man—partially obscured by passing cars, his dark hair slightly tousled, his posture hauntingly familiar. Even from this distance, the resemblance was striking.Rafael Rivers.Her husband.Her dead husband.A sharp jol
A Second Chance Chapter Fifty One
Amaliah knew it was wrong. Her husband hadn’t even been dead a year, yet here she was, locked in a kiss with his greatest rival. But no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t summon the will to stop.When Caesar’s arms slid around her waist, drawing her closer, she didn’t resist. When he grazed her bottom lip with his teeth, asking for more, she yielded, parting her lips for him. Their tongues met in a slow, intoxicating dance, each stroke deepening the hunger between them. Her fingers wove through his hair, holding him to her as if letting go would shatter the moment.Caesar finally pulled away, his breaths ragged, as though he’d just run a marathon. He couldn’t believe what had just happened. For weeks, he had imagined this—fantasized about it—but the reality was beyond anything his mind had conjured. He wanted to speak, to say something, anything, but the kiss had left his mind utterly blank.Just when she thought it was over, Caesar tilted his head and captured her lips once more
