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Disbelief
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2024-11-27 07:49:17Related chapters
Second Chances Under the Tree Tears
CALLIE My breath hitched, and for a moment, I couldn’t respond. Every fiber of my being screamed to run, to leave this twisted nightmare behind. But the image of the hundreds of eyes waiting beyond those doors… judging, whispering, pitying, rooted me to the spot.“You can’t ask this of me,” I whispered. “You’re asking me to pretend, to marry you, to stand in front of those people and lie.”“I know,” Ethan admitted, his tone softening. “I know it’s a lot, but it’s just three months. Think about what’s at stake… your dignity, your reputation, everything you’ve worked for. Don’t let Sebastian take that from you too.”The mention of Sebastian sent a fresh wave of pain crashing through me. The man I loved, the man I trusted, had already taken so much. Could I let him take this too?“What about you?” I asked, my voice filled with bitterness. “What do you get out of this, Ethan? Why are you so willing to step in and save the day?”His expression hardened for a brief moment before softening
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Second Chances Under the Tree Hello?
CALLIEI stood there, stunned. Mr Thompson had never spoken to me like that before, and the sudden shift felt jarring.“You’re married to Ethan now,” he repeated. “Whatever you decide to do, it has to be with him from this moment on. Understand?”Before I could find my voice, Ethan stepped forward, his expression darkening as he faced his father.“That’s enough,” Ethan said. “You don’t get to raise your voice at her. She’s my wife now, not someone to be ordered around.”I blinked, surprised by the protective edge in his tone. Ethan turned to me, his gaze softening.“Callie, you can do whatever you want,” he said. “If you want to leave today and travel back alone, I’ll book the ticket for you. Take the time you need to figure things out.”I opened my mouth to respond, but he wasn’t finished.“You’ve been through enough,” Ethan continued. “Take a week… no work, no obligations. After that, we’ll figure things out together. You can come back, start living with me… to avoid people talking.
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Second Chances Under the Tree Power outage
CALLIE“Callie,” his voice was low and husky, sending shivers down my spine.“Sebastian,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I struggled to keep my emotions in check. “What’s going on? Are you okay? Did you… ” I paused, swallowing hard. “Did you do this on purpose? Or was it your family? Did they force you? Please, tell me the truth.”The tears I had been holding back finally spilled, streaming down my face as the silence on the other end of the line stretched unbearably.“Callie…” His voice cracked slightly, and I could hear the guilt dripping from his tone. “I’m sorry.”“Sorry?” I repeated, my voice breaking. “That’s all you have to say? You disappeared without a word, Sebastian. You left on our wedding day. I thought… ” My breath hitched, and I forced myself to continue. “I thought I meant something to you.”Another pause. Then, quietly he said, “Turn on your TV. Channel 12.”“What?” I frowned, confused. “Sebastian, what are you talking about?”“Just… do it, Callie. Don’t call me a
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Second Chances Under the Tree No choice
SEBASTIAN “What… what the hell?” I hissed into the phone, pacing my office like a caged animal. My pulse raced, my hand tightening around the device. “You guys must be insane! I’ve done everything you asked. Everything! Why are you doing this?”The voice on the other end was cold and it made my blood boil.“This wasn’t part of the deal,” I snarled. “I’ve played my part. If this is some kind of twisted game…”Their response cut me off, like my protests were nothing more than static noise.“You know what?” I said, my voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Do your worst.”Without waiting for a reply, I ended the call and threw the phone on the desk. I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head as I stared at the faint reflection of my own scowl on the desk’s glossy surface. “What a mess,” I muttered to myself.The door creaked open behind me. “What mess?”I froze for a moment, recognizing the voice immediately. I turned, and there he was… Lucas, leaning casually against the doorframe, a s
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Second Chances Under the Tree Samson
SEBASTIAN I clenched my fists on the armrests of my chair. “Yesterday night,” I said, my voice shaking with rage, “they sent someone to her house.”Lucas froze. “What?”“To scare her,” I spat. “To warn me. A reminder that I’m not allowed to speak to her again. Can you believe that?”“They… they threatened her? At her home?” Lucas’s voice rose. “What the hell is wrong with these people?”I laughed bitterly. “Everything. I don’t even know what they did but then I can’t risk it. I just…” I trailed off, my head dropping into my hands.“Jesus, Sebastian,” Lucas muttered. “This is insane. You can’t keep living like this. They’re controlling everything… your life, your love, your damn future. You’ve got to fight back.”I looked up at him, my eyes dark with exhaustion. “Fight back?” I scoffed. “Against my father? Against Ethan and his psychotic schemes? They’ve got power, Lucas. You don’t fight people like them… you survive them.”Lucas shook his head, tightening his jaw. “Survive? That’s al
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Second Chances Under the Tree Then I saw it
ETHANI leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming idly on the edge of my desk, a slow smile curling across my lips. Callie was mine now. Truly mine. No one could take her away from me, not Sebastian, not her doubts, not even her stubborn will.I hadn’t realized just how much I wanted her until they came home for Christmas, when she walked into the room with Sebastian, her hand in his. It was like a flame had ignited inside me, consuming every rational thought. That day, I decided she would be mine, no matter what it took.I reached for the small bowl of sweets on my desk, unwrapping one with deliberate care. The sugary taste spread across my tongue as I sucked on it, the sweetness mirroring the satisfaction I felt. She was under my roof now, sharing my space, my life. And soon, she’d share my heart completely.Very soon, she’d see there was no escape from me.She’d fall for me. I’d make sure of it.I chuckled to myself. I never thought I was capable of feeling like this. This kind
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Second Chances Under the Tree Heart attack
CALLIE His face was pale, his features still. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. The world seemed to turn around me, and a sharp, icy fear pierced through me.“No,” I whispered. “This can’t be happening.”Ethan’s hand came to rest on my shoulder. “Callie,” he said, “step back. Let them do their job.”I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. “What happened to him? He was fine this morning! He called me… he was… ” My voice broke, and I turned to the paramedics. “What happened? How did this happen?”One of the paramedics, a woman with kind eyes, looked at me sympathetically. “I’m sorry, ma’am. He was found unconscious in the lobby by one of your colleagues. By the time we got here... there was nothing we could do.”“No,” I said again, shaking my head as if denial could change the reality in front of me. “This doesn’t make sense. Lucas was fine. What's going on?”The paramedic sighed. “We’ll know more once an autopsy is performed, but I’m afraid he’s gone.”I stagger
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Second Chances Under the Tree I don’t deserve you
CALLIEMy stomach churned. I didn’t like where this was going. “Sebastian, stop,” I said, cutting him off. “Please. I don’t know why you’re calling me in the first place, but whatever it is, I don’t want to hear it.”“Callie, just listen to me… ”“No!” I screamed. “I can’t do this with you, Sebastian. Whatever you think I need to know, keep it to yourself. And don’t call me again.”“Callie…”“My husband wouldn’t like it,” I snapped. “So don’t call me again, Sebastian.”With that, I ended the call, my hand trembling as I lowered the phone. My chest heaved with the effort of holding back tears, and I felt like I’d just run a marathon.Why now? Why did he think he had the right to invade my life like this, especially now, when everything already felt like it was crumbling around me?I couldn’t let Sebastian ruin my day any further. I needed to eat, to find some semblance of normalcy.I called for the maid and she reappeared moments later.“What did the chef prepare today?” I asked, tryin
Last Updated : 2024-11-27
Latest chapter
Second Chances Under the Tree Bad News
CALLIEIt wasn’t Sebastian’s voice that greeted me.“Hello? Is this Callie?” a woman’s voice came through the line.My heart skipped a beat. “Y-Yes, this is Callie. Who is this? Where’s Sebastian?”There was a brief pause, as though the woman was trying to find the right words. “My name is Nurse Erica. I’m calling from Fairview General Hospital. Sebastian was… involved in an accident. He’s in critical condition, but he’s stable for now.”The phone nearly slipped from my trembling hand. “What?” I whispered, my voice cracking. “What happened? Is he okay?”“I can’t share all the details over the phone, but it’s important you come as soon as possible,” she said. “He’s at Fairview General. Please hurry.”The line went dead before I could respond.The phone clattered to the floor, my hand too weak to hold it any longer. For a moment, the world blurred. My legs gave way, and I sank to the ground. Tears welled in my eyes, streaming down my cheeks as sobs escaped my lips.“No,” I whispered to
Second Chances Under the Tree Five minute drive
CALLIEThere was silence. None of us said anything for a while. My heart clenched painfully, and I found myself struggling to form a response.Finally, I swallowed hard and spoke. “So… when is the date?”Sebastian exhaled deeply, his gaze dropping to the floor. “In two days. January 2nd.”I nodded slowly. “That means you’ll have to fly out tomorrow.” “Yeah,” he said softly. “I don’t have a choice.”The words stung, even though I knew he didn’t mean them to. I straightened my shoulders, meeting his gaze. “Then I’ll go with you.”Sebastian’s head shot up, his eyes narrowing. He took a step closer, his hands gently wrapping around mine. “No, Callie,” he said softly. “You don’t have to do that.”I frowned, my chest tightening at the seriousness in his tone. “Sebastian, you don’t have to do this alone. I want to be there for you.”He shook his head, his grip on my hands tightening slightly. “Lucas will be there. He has to be, as part of the team. I’ll go with him. You… you’ve been through
Second Chances Under the Tree 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
Second Chances Under the Tree White and Black
SEBASTIAN 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
Second Chances Under the Tree Complicated
CALLIEA 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
Second Chances Under the Tree Stay Strong
CALLIEThe 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
Second Chances Under the Tree Answer it
CALLIEI 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
Second Chances Under the Tree 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
Second Chances Under the Tree Not for you
SEBASTIANI stared at the receptionist, my brows knitting together. "I'm sorry, what?"She fidgeted with the clipboard in her hands, avoiding my gaze. "I… I really am sorry, sir," she said, her voice wavering slightly. "But the order comes directly from the manager. He insists that you have to vacate the building immediately.""Vacate the building? Why?"She glanced down at her clipboard again, her fingers tightening around it. "I'm not at liberty to discuss the specifics," she said quietly, "but it’s urgent. The manager instructed me to offer you a full refund as compensation. Please, pack your belongings and come downstairs as soon as possible to sign out and collect it."I folded my arms across my chest, feeling my irritation spike. "That’s not exactly reassuring, you know. You can’t just kick us out without a valid explanation."The receptionist flinched slightly but held her ground. "I understand, sir, truly. But I’m afraid I can’t say more. I’ll be waiting downstairs."Without w
