Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

A soft smile appeared on Christina’s face as she spoke, “I spotted it by chance on a trip abroad. Remembered it was your favorite, so I bought it for you.”

The cool glass of the perfume bottle pressed against Calista’s palm, stirring a flood of memories within her.

Bonded at sixteen, their friendship had weathered the years,

enduring all the way to their forty-second year.

In their youth, they’d traveled together, gossiped about handsome guys, and walked down the aisle around the same

time.

But as the years passed, the chaos of starting a family, raising kids, and running a household had swallowed Calista

whole.

Trivialities of daily life had kept them apart, turning

occasional phone calls into her only form of social

interaction.

Calista tucked the gift into her bag, holding onto the warmth

of the gesture.

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“I ordered your favorite Black Forest cake,” she said.

A mischievous grin spread across Christina’s face, revealing

a pair of tiny tiger teeth that took years off her appearance.

Christina asked, “What’s going on with you and Killian? And

Austin and Olivia-what was that all about?”

She’d seen the related videos online, but they’d been taken down quickly.

Now that she had Calista in front of her, she wasn’t about to

let the chance to ask pass.

Calista told her the whole story-every twist and turn of the

past few weeks.

Christina listened, her heart rising and falling with every

word. “So you’re really divorced?”

“Yes. We’ve already filed the papers,” Calista replied.

“Good for you! I’ve never liked Killian, not even back then.”

For years, Calista had given everything to that family.

Finally, she had mustered the courage to walk out of that

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gilded cage.

Christina raised her coffee cup. “To freedom.”

Calista clinked her cup against Christina’s. “To myself.”

A quiet, understanding smile passed between the two

friends.

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In their younger days, they’d huddled together and cried over a crush who didn’t notice them.

Now, in their forties, marriage had worn down their edges and dulled their passions.

Even divorce felt like a calm, matter-of-fact ending-no

drama, no bitterness.

A flicker of realization crossed Christina’s face.

She rummaged in her bag and pulled out a card, sliding it across the table to Calista, her tone matter-of-fact.

“This is my credit card. Use it for whatever you need. I

won’t transfer money directly-didn’t want to mess up your

property settlement.”

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A lump formed in Calista’s throat. She hadn’t even mentioned needing money, yet Christina had anticipated her troubles.

True friendship meant thinking of someone else before they could ask for help.

Calista didn’t stand on ceremony, tucking the card into her wallet.

“Thank you, Christina.”

Christina squeezed her hand, her voice warm with sincerity. “The first few weeks will be tough, but it’ll get better. You’re talented-you’ll thrive without Killian. Financially, you’ll be fine. And as for Austin-I’ll talk to him. That boy’s been acting

out of line.”

A gentle shake of Calista’s head followed.

“Austin is the Frost family’s golden child, their future heir. Killian will take care of him. From now on, I only need to look

out for Olivia and myself.”

Sympathy flickered in Christina’s eyes as she looked at

Calista.

46 Carry a child for nine months, to raise them for sixteen

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years, only to let go completely-how much heartache and disappointment must it have taken to make that decision?

“Whatever you need, I’m here. We’ll raise Olivia together. Our girl is just as good as anyone else’s.”

Christina sighed, trailing off mid-sentence.

“If only you’d married that guy back then, do you think things

would’ve been different?”

She stopped herself, knowing there was no point in dwelling

on “what ifs.”

The past was the past.

***

Worry over Hugh’s health weighed heavily on Calista’s mind.

In the end, she gathered her courage and took Olivia to the Hartwell Group headquarters.

Hesitation rooted her to the spot at the entrance.

Olivia’s arm ached from holding a bouquet of flowers. “Mom, 5/9 let’s go in. We’re already here.”

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Calista said, “I’m scared.”

“What are you afraid of?” Olivia asked.

Silence descended as Calista’s palms grew clammy with nerves, her legs feeling weak.

Ten years ago, Hugh had roared at her, “Never call me dad

again! Never set foot in this house!” The words had haunted

her ever since, turning her into a coward.

Calista didn’t dare go to their home, so she’d settled for the company-even a glimpse of her parents from afar would be enough.

“I’m afraid your grandparents will yell at me. Or worse…” she

muttered.

Afraid that they’d pretend they didn’t know her.

Olivia gave her mother a sympathetic look, stifling a laugh.

Who knows Mom can be this scared of her parents?

But they aren’t that scary, are they?

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Faint memories surfaced-Hugh lifting Olivia high above his

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