Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 4

Killian’s eyes turned ice cold, rage simmering beneath the surface.

Is this how Calista acts as a mother? There has to be limits to throwing a tantrum!

“Go to the hospital first,” he finally said.

Betty drove them to the hospital.

Killian and Austin hurried to the emergency room.

The doctor on duty happened to be Austin’s regular physician.

“This is a gastritis flare-up,” the doctor said. “What did you eat tonight?”

“Nothing that would irritate it…” Austin’s voice came out weak, laced with guilt.

It couldn’t really be because of those few drinks, could it? This is all Mom’s fault for raising me to be so weak!

The doctor pushed his glasses up his nose. “You can fool anyone else, but don’t try to fool your doctor. You reek of alcohol, and you’re telling me you didn’t eat anything irritating? Do you have a death wish?”

Killian’s voice was low, tight with restraint. “Doctor, just tell us how to fix this.”

The doctor turned to Killian. “You’re his father?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll deal with the pain first, and he needs to come back tomorrow for tests. When you get home, have his mom keep up with his usual care routine.”

The doctor’s tone turned sharp with his next warning. “No more alcohol. He was almost fully recovered at last week’s checkup, but now all that progress is completely down the drain.”

“Ugh.” Austin made a face, looking like he was about to throw up.

He’d have to eat more of his mom’s disgusting bland food? He never wanted to touch that stuff again for the rest of his life!

*****

The next morning, Killian headed to the walk-in closet like he did every day to pick out his outfit.

He had a big business meeting scheduled.

Usually, his watch, cufflinks, and tie would already be laid out on the center island. But today, the space was empty.

Killian glanced toward the guest bedroom. The bed was perfectly made, no sign anyone had slept in it. Calista hadn’t come home all night.

Irritation flared in his chest, but he had no choice except to find everything himself.

He wasn’t good at handling these little tasks. After just a few minutes of searching, a headache started to build behind his eyes.

He’d been drinking last night, then up until the middle of the night dealing with Austin’s stomach pain. He was seriously sleep-deprived.

By the time he got dressed and made his way down to the dining room, his mood was already dark. When he saw milk and sandwiches on the table, his expression turned even colder.

“Betty, take this away and bring me some soup and side dishes.”

He always had soup for breakfast. How could the household staff not know that by now?

Betty hurried over, dark circles under her eyes. “Mr. Frost, soup takes three hours to make. There’s no time.”

Killian frowned. “Then how was there always soup before?”

“Mrs. Frost used to make it, sir. She’d get up early and have it ready by the time you came down. The staff don’t start until eight…”

Betty bit back the rest of her thoughts.

Even live-in help had set working hours. They weren’t slaves. Only Calista had been available 24 hours a day.

Killian waved a hand dismissively. He didn’t want to waste time on trivial details.

Betty hesitated, then asked carefully. “Mr. Frost, where did Mrs. Frost and Ms. Olivia Frost go?”

“She took our daughter out,” Killian said, his tone casual. “I’m giving her a break. She needs some rest.”

Betty smiled. “Mr. Frost, you’re so good to Mrs. Frost.”

The comment brought a faint, satisfied flicker to Killian’s face. He waved Betty away.

He was saving Calista’s face in front of the staff.

Hope she knows when to quit and not push her luck any further.

A few minutes later, Austin shuffled into the dining room, his hair messy and his face miserable.

Killian looked up. “Call your mom and tell her to come home. You still need to get checked out today.”

She blocked me? Fine. She has some nerve this time.

Let’s see if she has the guts to skip work too.

*****

Back then, Calista figured the salary didn’t matter. The money was just moving between their accounts anyway.

Then Austin made fun of her, saying even if she didn’t eat or drink for a whole year, her salary wouldn’t cover one pair of his shoes.

After that, whenever she asked Killian for living expenses, he’d go silent first, then slowly furrow his brows, and finally transfer the money two or three days late.

Having to beg for money felt like swallowing a bitter pill. She never wanted to go through that again.

Right after she submitted her resignation, the finance director called Calista into his office.

The guy was ten years younger than her, and he just stared at her like he couldn’t wrap his head around what was happening.

“Calista, other people might not know about your relationship with Mr. Frost, but I do. Is this resignation his idea?”

Calista met his gaze steadily. “That doesn’t matter, and I don’t need his permission.”

The director nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Calista, married couples fight all the time. I already blocked your resignation letter. I’m just trying to tell you not to do anything rash.”

He didn’t believe she’d actually leave the company.

The director went on. “It’s not easy finding a stable job with benefits these days. You’re already forty-two. In a few more years, you’ll be able to retire comfortably. If you leave now, no one’s going to hire you.”

A sharp glint flashed in Calista’s eyes as she stared right back at him.

“I started this company with Killian. Just because the company pays me a low salary doesn’t mean that’s all I’m worth. Please sign the paperwork. Thank you.”

The director didn’t know the company’s full history, but he had seen Calista’s resume. She graduated from Columbia University with a finance degree, top of her class.

Twenty years ago, credentials like that were incredibly valuable. Working as a regular accounting clerk was definitely below her skill level.

But so much time had passed. Calista had been stuck here doing a job anyone could do. How was that any different from being out of the workforce completely? Her degree and skills had lost all their value by now.

The director sighed. “Calista, I didn’t mean it like that. Are you really leaving right now? Even if you resign, you’re supposed to give a month’s notice…”

Calista cut him off, her voice firm. “I already organized everything. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding someone to take over. If you need to follow procedure, just mark me down as absent without leave.”

Calista wasn’t backing down.

The director had nothing left to say. He picked up the pen and signed the resignation papers.

Without Mr. Frost’s protection, the outside world isn’t going to be easy for her. She’s going to regret this soon enough!