Independence

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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In mid–January, Jandersville was hit with a heavy snowfall. Miranda pushed open her window and saw that the whole world had been covered in a fresh, white blanket.

It was just 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 vendors, creating a lively, down–to–earth atmosphere.

When Miranda went downstairs to grab 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, making it look strikingly like a cartoon character.

She 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 handiwork with a satisfied nod.

The butchered beef at the farmers‘ market was fresh and reasonably priced. Miranda picked up some lean minced beef to make spicy beef tacos. The rest would go into a hearty soup, with some sweet and crisp carrots to make it just right.

Miranda heard a knock at the door and quickly took off her apron to answer it.

It was Bonnie Hatcher, her neighbor from the third floor. Bonnie greeted her with a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Miranda, 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 everyone in the building. Here, this one’s for you.”

Knowing Miranda lived alone, Bonnie had always made a point of looking out

for her.

Miranda was genuinely happy for Bonnie with the good news. She thanked her and then turned to get some of the castella cake and marmalade she had made.

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Bonnie was pleasantly surprised and tried to refuse. “Oh, you didn’t have to do that. I didn’t bring the cupcakes with the expectation of anything in return.

“These are just a few things I’ve been trying out. They’re not really a gift or anything. I just wanted you to try them and see if they’re any good,” Miranda replied.

Bonnie decided to accept Miranda’s offer.

“Oh, and by the 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 pass these cupcakes along to him?”

Bonnie suddenly recalled she had to drop off some chicken soup at the

hospital for her daughter–in–law, so she headed back home.

Miranda stared blankly at the cupcakes in her hands. If her memory served her right, Paul wasn’t really a fan of cupcakes.

The now bagan to fall agams at 1000 pr Paul snapped his umbrella shut giving * e quick shots to dislodge the crowflakes clinging to it. They melted away almost instantly

The experiment had hit a few snags, leading to a cascade of complications. Even he was feeling a bit worn out from trying to keep everything on track.

The Christmas spirit grew stronger as the year wound down, filling the air with festivity.

Paul 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 the corner, he decided to give everyone two days off.

Paul reached for his keys. Just as he was about to turn the door handle, he heard a noise behind him.

A warm, 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 hearth on a cold winter’s night, followed.

“Dr. Jefferson, you’re 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 I’ll get them for you.”

Paul’s senses were usually 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 homemade beef and lentil soup, that he fully came back to the present.

It took him a moment before he finally managed to say, in a quiet, raspy voice,” Thank you.”

A cold draft swept through the hallway, making Miranda shiver slightly. “I warmed up the soup. Make sure you eat it while it’s hot. I’ll close the door now.”

“Alright.”

The brief warmth of light vanished as the door closed behind her.

༦༽༼༣༠Y 7

Paul stepped into his apartment and flicked on the light. The empty room felt especially cold and quiet today. He rubbed his aching forehead as he unscrewed the lid of the thermos.

The soup was still steaming, with bits of parsley floating on top, and the carrots had softened to perfection. He took a bite. The flavor was just right.

He glanced at the cupcakes beside him, a slight frown of indecision flickering across his face, but eventually, he picked one up. It wasn’t too bad having it as dessert after the beef and lentil soup.

Soon, warmth spread through his body. He lounged lazily on the couch, letting his thoughts wander while feeling his mood gradually lighten.

His phone buzzed a few times on the table, and he knew exactly who was texting without even looking.

He’d been living abroad for the past few years and always missing out on family gatherings back home. With plans to be in the country long–term this year, family gatherings were bound to happen.

As expected, Paul’s night was flooded with WhatsApp messones after ignoring the phone call this morning. He picked up his phone.

Sure enough, most of the messages were from his mother, filled with probing questions and concern. A few were from his relatives to check how he was doing.

But there was one message from his father. It was much like his mother’s, urging him to come home for a visit.

Paul replied to each message, reassuring them that he would wrap up his work as soon as possible.

After setting his phone down, his eyes drifted to the empty thermos. The soup was nearly finished, with just a couple of carrot pieces left.

Suddenly, it hit him that when he returned home in a few days, it would probably be after Christmas before he saw her again.

Would she stay in Jandersville for the holidays?

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