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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hit with a heavy snowfall. Miranda pushed open her window and

in groups, building snowmen on the street below. Their laughter blended with the calls of street

some groceries, she noticed a row of snowmen of all shapes and sizes neatly lined up. The largest one caught her eye with its seed eyes and a pink plastic pinwheel on its head,

it but then turned back, deciding to press a small carrot from her basket onto its face as a

beef to make spicy beef

and quickly took off her apron to

third floor. Bonnie greeted her with a warm smile, her

you’re back! My daughter–in–law had a baby girl a few days ago. We made some cupcakes to celebrate and shared them with

Miranda lived alone, Bonnie had always made a point

for her.

news. She thanked her and then turned to get some of the castella cake and marmalade she

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have to do that. I didn’t bring the

things I’ve been trying out. They’re not really a gift or anything. I just wanted you to try them and see

to accept Miranda’s

way, your next–door–neighbor, Dr. Jefferson, is usually in and out all day. I’ve knocked a few times, but he’s never home. Could you do me

to drop off some chicken soup at

so she headed

her memory served

giving * e quick shots to dislodge the crowflakes clinging to it.

Even he was feeling a

stronger as the year wound down,

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

about to turn the door handle, he heard a

the door, lighting up the hallway and casting a cozy glow over him. The once–dim corridor was suddenly filled with

became a grandmother. She brought over some cupcakes this afternoon. I have your share with me. Give

wasn’t until she handed him a small wicker basket, filled with dainty cupcakes and a thermos of homemade beef and

managed to say, in a quiet, raspy voice,”

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