Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Kyle rubbed his temples, looking exasperated.

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“Dad is really something. To get you to come back, he even made up this ridiculous excuse about having a birthday party for the dog.”

“The dog?”

“Yellow-the one you brought home. Mom and Mirea are in

the backyard trying to dress it up right now.”

Calista fell silent, while Olivia looked shocked.

Calista and Olivia exchanged confused glances before

heading toward the backyard.

In the garden, Elena stood by a flower trellis wearing a lavender dress, smiling gently.

Mirea was squatting on the ground, speaking softly to a large golden retriever.

“Yellow, pink looks nice. Just try it on, okay?

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“It’s only for today Please?!!

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Calista smiled, watching the warm scene.

If she remembered correctly, Yellow was already twenty years old.

She had found the puppy in a sewer drain during her college years. It had been a tiny, yellowish ball of fur back then, so

she’d named it Yellow.

Over the years, the Hartwells had taken excellent care of it.

Its fur was glossy, and its eyes sparkled with life.

Twenty years was indeed a ripe old age for a dog.

Olivia thought her grandfather was being a bit weird-in a cute way-throwing a birthday party for a dog.

Yellow was the first to spot Calista and Olivia.

The old dog stood up, tail wagging furiously, and trotted over to Calista, breathing heavily.

Though it was elderly, its golden fur streaked with

white, it was excited to see her, nuzzling and licking her affectionately.

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It was amazing that after ten years apart, Yellow could still recognize her scent.

Olivia reached out to pat Yellow’s head, and the dog responded with even more enthusiastic kisses.

Mirea stood up, looking helpless.

“I hadn’t even finished dressing her when you showed up,

Calista.”

Elena waved a hand. “Your father is just being stubborn. He said doing it this way would seem less deliberate.”

“And where is Dad?” Calista asked softly.

Elena nodded toward the kitchen.

“In there. After seeing you yesterday, he immediately ordered the freshest beef and sea bass. He’s been busy cooking ever since. He is just hardheaded. Deep down, he’s been waiting for you to come home.”

Calista hurried toward the kitchen.

The others wisely stayed behind. 3/7

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Standing in the doorway, she saw the nearly

seventy-year-old man wearing an apron, quietly slicing a piece of beef.

Yesterday, Calista hadn’t been sure of Hugh’s feelings. But after returning home and watching the video her daughter had taken, she’d noticed how he’d been gazing at her silently.

Today, seeing all these little details of his love, Calista realized she would be heartless not to take this step.

Finally, she mustered up her courage.

“Dad.”

The knife paused mid-slice.

Hugh’s back stiffened abruptly.

After a long moment of silence, he didn’t turn around but replied coldly, “Hmm.”

That single syllable trembled slightly.

No matter how stubborn or angry he acted, all he really

wanted was to hear her call him “Dad” again.

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Biting her lip, Calista walked closer.

Hugh was cooking her favorite dishes with his own hands.

Calista remembered how, when she was little, he had been the one who spoiled her the most.

If she had asked for the stars, he would have fetched them and thrown in the moon for good measure.

A child raised on such love had grown up to be rebellious, doing so many things to hurt the people who cared about

her.

Sometimes Calista wondered if her past behavior was really any better than Austin’s was now.

“Dad, I haven’t tasted your cooking in years.”

“Hmph, I haven’t cooked in years. It’s such a hassle,” Hugh grumbled.

Calista gently linked her arm through his. “Then if I want to eat it again, will you make it for me?”

Hugh’s body stiffened. His eyes glistened with moisture, and 5/7 Ré quickly turned his head away.

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