Home / Romance / Second Chances Under the Tree / Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

All Chapters of Second Chances Under the Tree : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

5 Chapters

Heartbreak

Second Chances Under the Tree /Asita Ali

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

It was her

Second Chances Under the Tree /Asita Ali

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

This wasn’t happening

Second Chances Under the Tree /Asita Ali

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

What are you doing here?

Second Chances Under the Tree /Asita Ali

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

On one knee

Second Chances Under the Tree /Asita Ali

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