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Stay Strong
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2024-12-12 07:50:07Related chapters
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
Last Updated : 2024-12-13Second 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-13Second 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-14Second Chances Under the Tree Heartbreak
CALLIEI gripped my phone tightly, pacing back and forth in my tiny living room. My heart was racing faster than the snowstorm brewing outside. This was it. Tonight was the night.Without overthinking it, I hit Sophie’s name in my contacts and she picked up after the second ring.“Callie?” she answered. “Do you know what time it is?”“Sophie, I can’t wait anymore, and besides, it's just 9 p.m,” I blurted out. “Tonight is the night.”“What are you even talking about?” Sophie asked with a groan.“I’m confessing!” I replied, feeling a surge of excitement coursing through me. “I’m going to tell Ethan how I feel.”There was a long pause on her end.“What?” Sophie finally said.“I’ve been holding it in for too long,” I explained, clutching the phone closer to my ear. “And I just know he feels the same way. He’s probably just scared I’ll turn him down or something. But I’ll make it easy for him. I’ll tell him first.”Still no response from Sophie. The silence stretched awkwardly, and I frown
Last Updated : 2024-11-21Second Chances Under the Tree It was her
CALLIEI arrived at the VIP section 112 of the club where we had agreed to meet, my heart pounding harder than the bass shaking the walls. I paused at the door, smoothing down my dress as I glanced inside.And then, I saw him.He sat casually on the couch, sipping a drink. His appearance took me by surprise- too refined, too elegant, and way too good-looking for someone in his line of work."Get it together, Callie," I whispered, straightening my back and summoning a confidence I didn’t feel as I walked toward him.“You’re late,” he said, raising his head to meet my gaze with those gorgeous brown eyes.Ignoring the formality, I sat into the seat across from him and crossed my arms. “Let’s skip the small talk.”His brows lifted slightly, but he didn’t reply.“I didn’t come here for pleasantries,” I continued. “I came here for one thing. So let’s get to it.”He gave me a surprised look, but I didn’t care. Reaching for the zipper of my dress, I tugged it down, and it slid off my shoulde
Last Updated : 2024-11-21Second Chances Under the Tree This wasn’t happening
CALLIE I closed my car door, glanced up at the sleek glass building that housed my workplace, and took a deep breath to collect myself.Then, my phone buzzed in my bag. I hesitated, already seeing Ethan’s name flashing on the screen.The first instinct was to ignore it. After last night, the last thing I wanted was to hear his voice. But then I thought better of it. I wasn’t about to let him think I was sulking. Sure, I was still hurt, but I needed to keep my composure.The phone buzzed again. With a sigh, I picked it up. “What is it, Ethan?”“Callie,” he started. “I just… I wanted to say I’m sorry. About last night. I should’ve told you the truth earlier.”“It’s fine,” I said. “I’m over it.”“Really?” His voice was filled with disbelief. “Because…”“Ethan,” I interrupted, trying to keep my tone light. “It’s fine. I’ve got work to get to, so if that’s all…”“Wait,” he cut in. “There’s something else you should know.”What now?“My stepbrother,” Ethan said, “he’s taking over as CEO o
Last Updated : 2024-11-21Second Chances Under the Tree What are you doing here?
SEBASTIAN I hated putting her in this position. Seeing the tears threatening to spill from her eyes twisted something deep inside me.But this was the only way. If I didn’t frame it this way, there was no way she’d accept the offer I was about to give her.Her hand hovered over the doorknob as she turned back to face me. Her voice wavered, though she tried to keep it steady. “What’s the condition?”I took a deep breath. “You can keep your job,” I began, “but you have to agree to one thing.”Her brows furrowed, and she crossed her arms, waiting.“You’ll act as my date for my family’s Christmas and New Year’s celebrations,” I said, watching her expression carefully. “You’ll have to pretend to be my girlfriend. After that, everything goes back to normal. You’ll keep your job, and I’ll stay out of your way.”Her jaw dropped. “You’re joking.”“I’m not,” I replied. “My father has been breathing down my neck, insisting I bring someone home. If I don’t, I’ll never hear the end of it.”She bl
Last Updated : 2024-11-21Second Chances Under the Tree On one knee
CALLIEI was really satisfied to see Ethan’s expression. Oh, this was priceless. Exactly what I hoped for.Sebastian, ever the opportunist, stepped forward with a smirk on his lips. “I’m sorry, Ethan, I don’t understand your question,” he said. “Callie is here with me. She’s my girlfriend.”As he spoke, his arm slid around my shoulders, pulling me close. I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips as I glanced at Ethan. He still looked like he was trying to process what he was seeing.“Shall we?” Sebastian murmured, brushing past Ethan without waiting for a response.I matched his pace as we walked into the parlor, his hand still comfortably resting on my shoulder. And then I saw her… Sophie. She was resting on the armrest of the couch, with a glass of wine in her hand. The moment her gaze landed on me, her eyebrows shot up.“Callie?” she said, her voice filled with surprise.I met her gaze, letting a smirk curl on my lips. “Sophie,” I replied coolly, before turning my attention
Last Updated : 2024-11-21
Latest chapter
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
Second Chances Under the Tree A Situation
CALLIEThe moment the door to our hotel room closed, I turned to Sebastian, my heart racing, my body aching for his touch.Without saying a word, I leaned in, capturing his lips in a deep kiss. He responded immediately, his hands gripping my waist, pulling me closer as if he couldn’t stand even an inch of space between us.God, I had missed this.His lips were everything I remembered… soft, yet commanding, tasting faintly of the peppermint gum he had been chewing earlier. I melted into him, letting the world outside fade away, consumed by the heat building between us.My hands found their way to his chest, sliding over the muscles beneath his shirt. But it wasn’t enough. I needed more. I slipped my hands under his shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin, the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my palm.“Callie,” he murmured against my lips, his voice thick with desire.“Shh,” I whispered, my fingers working to undo the buttons of his shirt. “No talking. Just… this.”He chuckled softly
Second Chances Under the Tree I'm also horny
CALLIEThis wasn’t what I expected. Not in the slightest. When I thought about running away with Sebastian, I had envisioned something a little more… peaceful. Maybe a quiet retreat where we could leave all the chaos behind, just the two of us, wrapped up in our own bubble of love.But now? It felt like an adventure. A wild one, but an adventure nonetheless.I glanced over at Sebastian as he focused on the road. There was something about the way he was driving, the way his jaw clenched with resolve, that made me want to just reach out and hold him. We were running from a life neither of us wanted, but this… this felt like the beginning of something new. Something real.And, honestly, as much as I was terrified of what the future held, a part of me was also loving it. Loving that it was just us now. No more lies, no more games, no more expectations to meet. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could breathe.But then, just like that, the cold edge of reality slid in, a shiv
