When fate plays its hand (Miranda)

Chapter 0122

Miranda grinned, standing her ground. “No way. You two look just alike with that face now.”

She held up the small figurine and gave it a playful wiggle, which made Paul laugh.

“Well, maybe not quite so much anymore.

In the end, Paul took the gift and thanked her.

“Don’t mention it. The light’s green,” Miranda said.

A BOLEIN

When Miranda got home, it was well past midnight. She’d made sure the house was spotless before she left. She’d even arranged for a cleaning service to come through before she got back.

It looked so immaculate that no one would have guessed she’d been gone for

days.

She took a shower and then collapsed onto her plush bed, sa

ing the lingering fragrance of her body wash. She closed her eyes, feeling content.

She thought home was always the coziest place no matter where she went.

Meanwhile, Paul was still awake.

His experiment was wrapping up its first phase, leaving him buried in work. Even finding time to head to the airport had been a struggle. He planned to shower, change his clothes, and head back to the lab.

As he was putting on his shoes in the foyer, he glanced up and saw the small figurine Miranda had given him. After coming home, he’d set it on a shelf above the shoe rack, in a spot cleared just for it, while the other shelves were packed with books.

He couldn’t help but smile. It really did look quite a bit like him.

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snowfall. Miranda pushed open her window

snowmen on the street below. Their laughter blended with the calls of street vendors, creating a lively, down–to–earth

to grab some groceries, she noticed a row of snowmen of all shapes and sizes neatly lined up. The largest one caught

a small carrot from her basket onto its face as a nose. Stepping back, she admired her handiwork with a

picked up some lean minced beef to make spicy

the door and quickly took off her

was Bonnie Hatcher, her neighbor from the third floor. Bonnie greeted her

girl a few days ago. We made some cupcakes to celebrate and shared them with everyone in the

had always made a point of

for her.

and

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to refuse. “Oh, you didn’t have to do that. I didn’t

not really a gift or anything. I just wanted you to try them and see if they’re any good,” Miranda

to

Jefferson, is usually in and out all day. I’ve knocked a few times, but he’s

had to drop off some chicken soup at

her daughter–in–law, so she

in her hands. If her memory

at 1000 pr Paul snapped his umbrella shut giving * e quick shots to dislodge the crowflakes clinging to it. They

a cascade of complications. Even he was feeling a bit worn out from trying to keep everything on

spirit grew stronger as the year wound down, filling the

data had finally been adjusted to safe levels. With Christmas just

for his keys. Just as he was about to

golden light seeped through the crack in the door, lighting up the hallway and casting a cozy glow over him. The once–dim corridor was suddenly filled with light, and Miranda’s voice, as comfting as a

from the third floor just became a grandmother. She brought over some cupcakes this afternoon. I have your share with me. Give me a moment, and

when her clear, gentle voice filled the air, it was as if his mind took a moment to catch up. It wasn’t until she handed him a small wicker basket,

finally managed to

draft swept through the hallway, making Miranda shiver slightly. “I warmed up the soup. Make sure you eat it