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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open her window and saw that the whole world had been covered in a fresh,

was just after 8:00 am, and the neighborhood kids were already out in groups, building snowmen on the street

neatly lined up. The largest

had already walked past it but then turned back, deciding to press a small carrot from her basket onto its face as a nose. Stepping back, she admired her

beef at the farmers‘ market was fresh and reasonably priced. Miranda picked up some lean minced beef to make spicy beef tacos. The

heard a knock at the door and quickly took off her apron to

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

girl a few days ago. We made some cupcakes to celebrate and shared them

Miranda lived alone, Bonnie had always

for her.

her and then turned to get some of the castella cake and marmalade

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to refuse. “Oh, you didn’t have to do that. I didn’t bring the cupcakes with the expectation of anything in

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

to

I’ve knocked a few times, but he’s never home. Could you do me a favor

had to drop off some chicken soup at

for her daughter–in–law, so

stared blankly at the cupcakes in her hands. If her memory served

fall agams at 1000 pr Paul snapped his umbrella shut giving * e quick shots to dislodge the crowflakes clinging

snags, leading to a cascade of complications. Even he was feeling a bit worn out from trying

year wound down, filling

had a good night’s sleep in days. But today, the experiment’s data had finally been adjusted to safe levels. With Christmas just around the corner, he decided to give

as he was about to turn the door

cozy glow over him. The once–dim corridor was suddenly filled with light, and

home early today. Bonnie 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

took a moment to catch up. It wasn’t until she handed him a small wicker basket, filled with dainty cupcakes and a thermos of homemade beef

before he finally managed to say,

“I warmed up the soup. Make sure you eat