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 the whole world had been covered in a fresh,

groups, building snowmen on the

The largest one caught her eye with its

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

spicy beef tacos. The rest would go into a hearty soup,

the door and quickly

from the third floor. Bonnie greeted her

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.

alone, Bonnie had always made a point of

for her.

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

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

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

to accept

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 a favor and

drop off some chicken soup at

daughter–in–law, so

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

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

Even he was feeling a bit worn out

Christmas spirit grew stronger as the year wound

hadn’t 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

reached for his keys. Just as he was about to turn

cozy glow over him. The once–dim corridor was suddenly filled with light, and Miranda’s voice, as comfting as a hearth on a cold winter’s

the third floor just became a grandmother. She brought over some cupcakes this afternoon. I have your

keen, but 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, filled with dainty cupcakes and a thermos of

him a moment before he finally managed to say, in

the soup. Make sure you eat it while it’s hot. I’ll close