Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 10

Nicole’s voice had this magnetic pull; it made your heart race just listening to it.

Calista thought she should be furious, livid even. But when she touched her chest, that suffocating weight suddenly lifted.

For the first time in forever, she felt free.

She used to believe love could get her through anything.

She’d felt lucky—her and Killian had real love, a bond that seemed unbreakable. They’d survived poverty, hard times, life-or-death calls, so many hurdles. She’d been sure they’d grow old together.

Twenty years of marriage, and this was where it got her.

When he loved her, it had been real. And when he stopped, he didn’t hesitate to betray her.

Calista didn’t even frown. She pulled out her suitcase and started packing.

She packed her personal belongings and important documents first.

She didn’t have many clothes, so she grabbed a few everyday outfits and tossed the rest.

All the jewelry in her drawer was cheap, basic stuff, not worth taking, so she dumped it as well.

The wedding album in her drawer had been collecting dust for years, and she threw it straight in the trash.

Finally, Calista opened the safe and pulled out some gold jewelry. She’d bought those before they got married, so they were definitely her personal property.

After the wedding, she’d started buying gold bars as investments. Those were marital assets; she couldn’t take them yet.

Killian walked in just as she finished packing, holding a wine-red silk nightgown.

“The maid just picked this up. Brand new.”

He didn’t notice Calista until the words left his mouth.​

She raised an eyebrow. “Mm, very sexy. Definitely your type.”

Her casual, indifferent attitude made Killian feel like he couldn’t breathe. It pissed him off.

Today Calista had just walked off and left him with a giant mess to deal with. It had already screwed up his work schedule and his whole day.

He made money every second. Her apologies couldn’t make up for what he’d lost.

He really didn’t have time for her drama.

“Want to come back? Too late.” Killian’s voice was ice cold.

Calista didn’t even look up. She just kept organizing her suitcase.

“I’m just packing my things. I’m never coming back here. Check the suitcase and make sure I’m not taking anything I shouldn’t.”

After she said that, she even pulled out her phone and started filming.

Killian knew she was throwing a fit. She was mad he’d frozen her cards and left her with no money.

He sighed in frustration, glancing coldly at the suitcase. It only had basic clothes and documents. He could see everything at once.

Calista had even spread out the gold jewelry on purpose.

“Look close. This is my premarital stuff,” she said.

Killian took a deep breath. “Calista, do you really have to be this passive-aggressive?”

He wasn’t that petty.

Calista looked over at the bathroom. “What, you’re upset I’m making room for you two?”

The calmer she stayed, the more annoyed Killian got.

“Today’s different.”

Killian rarely explained himself, so saying even that much was unusual for him.

But Calista had already closed her suitcase.

Killian’s patience ran out completely.

“Enough, Calista! Nicole got hurt because you complained to those parents. If you had any sense, you’d be taking care of her instead of throwing a tantrum!”

He could blame her for absolutely anything.

Calista let out a cold laugh. “Complaining to those parents? That’s nothing. I’m teaming up with them to press charges against Nicole for showing inappropriate content to minors.

“You really think you can protect her?”

Something clattered in the bathroom and water splashed loudly.

Killian visibly tensed up. “Calista, you wouldn’t dare.”

“You’re clueless about the law. Maybe try reading sometime.” Calista pulled a document from her bag and threw it at him.

Calista had cautioned him not to jump into things because those weren’t good investments.

One of them was this big healthcare venture that had all kinds of problems lurking beneath the surface. He just wouldn’t listen to her.

So, Calista only wanted cash and Olivia. She didn’t want anything else.

Killian crossed his arms. “10 million.”

“50 million.” Calista didn’t budge. “I’ve got the security footage from the internet cafe. For every dollar less you give me, Nicole spends an extra day in jail.”

Killian glared. “20 million. That’s my final offer.”

Calista laughed.

Things were bound to go this way.

No matter how much a couple loved each other, divorce stripped away all dignity, left nothing but ugliness.

She didn’t have the energy to yell, to list all his failures. She just wanted to grab whatever she could get.

That was what she and Olivia deserved.

“Then I guess I’ll have to report you to the IRS for tax fraud,” Calista said flatly.

Killian never knew Calista could be this ruthless.

Whether he’d actually committed tax fraud didn’t matter—suspicion alone would trigger an audit, mess up the company’s operations and reputation.

Either way, he’d lose.

Killian stared at her for a few seconds, then caved. “Fine. You win. I’ll sign.”

Calista smiled. “Thank you.”

He reminded her, “Once you sign this, there’s no going back.”

Calista ignored him.

“Tomorrow morning at eleven. Bring the paperwork and meet me at the Courthouse.”

Killian stormed off to his study.

Nicole finally came out of the bathroom.

She had this victorious smile on her face as she walked toward Calista.