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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Miranda pushed open her window and saw that

after 8:00 am, and the neighborhood kids were already out in groups, building snowmen on the street below. Their laughter blended with the calls of street

up. The largest one caught her eye with its

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

picked up some lean minced beef to make spicy beef tacos. The rest would

heard a knock at the door and quickly

Bonnie Hatcher, her neighbor from the third floor. Bonnie greeted her with a warm

back! My daughter–in–law had a baby girl a few days ago. We made some cupcakes to celebrate and shared them with everyone in the building. Here, this one’s

always made

for her.

for Bonnie with the good news. She thanked her and then turned to get some of the castella cake and marmalade

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to do that. I didn’t bring the cupcakes

just a few things I’ve been trying out. They’re not really a gift or anything. I

decided to accept Miranda’s

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

suddenly recalled she had to drop

daughter–in–law, so she

at the cupcakes in her hands. If her memory served her right,

his umbrella shut giving * e quick

Even he was feeling a bit worn out from trying to

grew stronger as the year wound down,

hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in days. But today, the experiment’s data had finally been adjusted to safe

his keys. Just as he was about to turn the door handle, he heard

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

grandmother. She brought over some cupcakes this afternoon. I have

mind took a moment to catch up. It wasn’t until she handed him

him a moment before he finally managed to say, in a

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