Second Chances Under the Tree?

AST

ing had physically been ripped out of me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Ethan, standing there

saw me, her lips parting as she stammered, "Se

dy shifted to Ethan. He wasn't even trying to look apologetic. I

was

as I took a step toward him. My fists clenched,

retaliating, he simply wiped the c

ith mockery. "You should enjoy it while it lasts, b

arled, my heart

out, leaving the ro

clutching her towel tightly around her. Her face w

ice trembling. "It wasn't what it

ght now. Not after what I'd jus

me. "Callie, I can't... I can't do this right now," I said, my voice breaki

clenched so tight it felt like my b

in and Callie's tear-streake

er shouted, stopping

f the hallway, my father stood with a scowl on his face. Beside him

r my breath, dragging my fe

rd and, without warning, his fist collided with my face

olding my face. I looked up

her and walk away like nothing happened?"

, but no words came out. All I could see was Ethan standing there, rubb

a finger in my face. "You're out of control, Sebastian. And i

e!" she snapped, stepping closer with a glare. "I swear, if you ever pull this rubbish aga

always did. "You need to reconsider letting him manage that branch. He's clearly

. This family?

his mocking gaze fixed on me. He didn't need to say anything

lked away, ignoring my father's voice calling after me. I gr

****

LL

ands trembled as I clutched the sash of my robe. Sebastian didn't deserve that...

n't sta

n know why Sebastian acted the way he did?" I demanded, my eyes d

in annoyance. "Callie, th

m. "You're wrong. It does concern me. Sebastian acte

ght maybe, just maybe, they'd understand. That they

reaction was like

dly, his arms crossed as h

t. "You knew?" I whispered.

azed. Charlotte shifted uncomfortably, b

dismissively. "And Sebastian need

hed aside his pain as if it meant nothing. "I thought this was a happy family," I said bitterly,

talk like that. Sebastian will come around

d back, shaking my head. "No, thank you," I s

I refused to let fall. "