Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 9

Austin’s expression sharpened as realization hit him.

Killian understood too.

Only Nicole remained cheerfully oblivious, patting her chest. “Well, that was a new life experience for me! Getting slapped because of you. But hey, I had a great time today!”

Austin felt terrible. “Nicole, I should’ve protected you better. I let you get hurt.”

“So how are you gonna make it up to me?” Nicole chuckled.

Austin immediately looked at his dad.

Killian’s expression softened a bit. “You caused the problem, and you figure it out.”

Austin perked up. “Dad, how about you and I cook dinner for Nicole tonight?”

Killian nodded. “That works.”

“Yay!” Nicole clapped her hands and looked at them with admiration. “Getting a meal cooked by the city’s top student and a CEO? I’m so honored! Let’s go. I can’t wait!”

Her cheerful optimism was contagious, and even Killian seemed affected by it.

Something seemed to occur to him, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

*****

When Calista and Olivia got back to Frost Manor, Betty rushed over like she’d just seen reinforcements arrive.

“Mrs. Frost, thank god you’re back.”

Betty followed her inside, giving her usual dutiful report.

“Mr. Austin Frost and Mr. Frost’s injuries have been treated and they’re both fine. The main issue is that Mr. Austin Frost drank alcohol again today and he’s refusing to go to the hospital. You need to talk some sense into him!”

Betty kept following Calista as she walked.

“Mrs. Frost, Mr. Austin Frost is in the kitchen right now. He says he’s going to cook for Ms. Anderson himself. I’m about to start preparing ingredients for the stomach-soothing soup.”

The staff all knew that Calista loved her children more than anything. The first thing she’d do when she got home was check on Austin.

Calista hadn’t been home yesterday, so she’d definitely make stomach-soothing soup tonight.

Calista walked past Betty, her gentle face showing unprecedented coldness.

“If he doesn’t take care of his own body, he can deal with the consequences himself.”

She wasn’t making stomach-soothing soup or special meals anymore. She’d come back to pack her things, not to play the maid again.

Calista headed straight for the elevator.

When she passed the kitchen, Austin was holding a spatula and grimacing as he stirred the pan.

He was so focused on cooking that he didn’t even notice Calista had entered the kitchen.

After raising him all these years, she’d never once eaten a meal he’d cooked for her.

“Mrs. Frost.” The chef, James Howlett, bowed slightly, his expression relaxing with relief.

He clearly hoped Calista would stop this little troublemaker from wreaking havoc in his kitchen.

But Calista just pulled a booklet from her purse and handed it to him.

Why is Mom being so easygoing all of a sudden?

He pushed it further. “And I’m staying up all night on my phone!”

“Do whatever you want,” Calista said calmly and left the kitchen.

Austin scratched his head, completely confused.

Is she really not gonna say anything? Is this some kind of trick?

Meanwhile, Betty and the rest of the staff looked absolutely miserable, like they’d just been sentenced to hell.

If Calista wasn’t managing Austin anymore, they were screwed.

Calista took the elevator up to the master bedroom. The master suite had a bedroom, study, and bathroom all connected together.

They used to share a bed at first, but then Killian started coming home late from business dinners. He said he didn’t want to disturb her sleep, so he turned the study into his own bedroom.

They’d been married for 20 years, still technically sharing the master suite, but they’d slept in separate beds for seven years. Their sex life had fizzled out even longer ago than that.

She’d looked it up online once. A lot of women said men lose their sex drive after 30, that things just stop working as well. They told her not to stress about it.

Calista shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.

When she opened her bedroom door, she found the whole room completely torn apart.

The bedroom had new things everywhere—on the bed, on the desk—stuff that didn’t belong to her.

A girl’s sweet voice drifted out from the private bathroom. “Mr. Frost, did you find the pajamas? You can just bring them in!”