“Alright, I’ll be patient,” I said with a grin.

“Good girl,” he replied softly. “This matters to me, love.”

His words lingered, and for a split second, I thought he looked… sad. Or maybe torn. But then he kissed my forehead, said he loved me, and went upstairs to pack.

The next morning—Christmas Eve—he left for his trip.

By Christmas Day, I woke up early, buzzing with excitement. But the thought hit me like a snowball: Dad wasn’t going to be there. Christmas breakfast would just be Mirabel and me.

I could already picture it—her sipping coffee, scraping her spoon noisily against her yogurt bowl.

“Come on, Serenya,” I whispered to myself, kicking off the blankets. “Dad’s present is waiting.”

The house was still, except for faint shuffling sounds downstairs.

“She’s already awake,” I groaned.

I tiptoed down the stairs, socks soft against the wooden floor, trying not to draw attention. The last thing I wanted was one of Mirabel’s biting comments first thing in the morning.

But there she was—kneeling in front of the Christmas tree like a thief on a mission. And in her hands was my gift. The one Dad had told me not to touch until morning.

“Good morning, Serenya,” she said without turning her head, her tone overly sweet but icy underneath. “Merry Christmas.”

“What are you doing, Mirabel?” My throat tightened. “That’s mine!”

She slowly turned toward me, holding the package like it was hers all along.

“Oh, come now,” she chuckled, though her eyes were hard. “Your father spoils you rotten. Let’s see if he finally got something practical. Practical for me, that is. You won’t mind, will you? I can’t imagine why you would.”

“Mirabel, no!” I blurted. “Please! Dad told me to wait until this morning. It’s important—it’s meant for me!”

“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” she said, waving a polished hand dismissively. “You don’t deserve half the things your father gives you, Serenya. You play the perfect angel when he’s around, but really? You’re nothing more than a spoiled little brat.”

Her words cut deep, but before I could protest, she tugged on the velvet ribbon. My breath hitched.

“Mirabel! Stop! Please!”

Rolling her eyes, she shredded the gold wrapping paper, the sound echoing in the still room. She tossed the pieces aside and yanked off the lid.

Then she froze.

Her smug smile dissolved into a mask of shock.

I stepped closer, desperate to see what was inside.

Nestled inside the box was a small black velvet case and a folded envelope. Written on the front, in Dad’s unmistakable handwriting, was her name.

Her hands trembled as she snatched up the envelope, fumbling to tear it open. Her lips quivered as she read.

“Mirabel,” she began aloud, her voice unsteady, “if you’re reading this, then you’ve done exactly what I suspected. I overheard you speaking with your sister last week—about taking Serenya’s gift for yourself. I nearly confronted you then, but instead I wanted to give you a chance to prove me wrong. Sadly, you’ve proven everything I feared.”

Her face went ghost-pale.

“Is that all? Is there more?” I asked, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

She glanced back at the letter, nodding faintly.

“You’ve disrespected my daughter, and now you’ve crossed the line. This is my goodbye. Merry Christmas.”

The letter slipped from her hands like it had burned her. With shaking fingers, she opened the velvet case. Inside gleamed her engagement ring—the very one Dad had used when he proposed.

But the ring had never really been hers. It had belonged to my grandmother, and I had always dreamed of it one day being mine. Since Dad had given it to Mirabel, I thought that chance had disappeared forever.

The room went silent except for her uneven breathing. Even the Christmas music had long been forgotten. I stood frozen, torn between shock and a strange, satisfying calm.

Then the front door creaked open.

Mirabel whirled around.

“Calen?”

“Dad!”

There he was, standing in the doorway with his duffel bag, looking calm—too calm. Like a man who had expected exactly this scene.

Like it had all been orchestrated. And of course, it had—he’d written the letter. But when had he realized how Mirabel had been treating me? I had tried so hard to hide it from him.

“I thought you were away for work,” she stammered.

“I wasn’t,” he answered plainly.

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

“I stayed nearby. I needed to see it with my own eyes. I knew you were belittling Serenya. For months now, Mirabel, I’ve been watching and listening. I hoped you’d change, that maybe it was just you adjusting to this new role. But you didn’t.”

“Calen, it’s not what it looks like…”

“Oh, it’s exactly what it looks like,” Dad snapped, his tone razor-sharp. “I gave you every chance. I wanted to believe in you. But you’ve shown me who you are.”

“Please,” she whispered desperately. “I didn’t mean it… Calen, I love that ring…”

“I know. But Serenya loves it too. I spoke with my mother, and she told me Serenya had always hoped for it. I trusted you to be my partner, to be a stepmother to her. Instead, you’ve only revealed selfishness and cruelty. This was the final test, and you failed.”

Mirabel looked at me like it was somehow my fault. Her face crumpled, but Dad had already turned away.

“Pack your bags,” he said evenly. “You’re leaving today.”

By that afternoon, Mirabel dragged her suitcase out the door, her exit as stormy as her temper. She muttered about mistakes and misunderstandings, swearing Dad would regret this.

“This will be your downfall, Calen. No one will ever love you and tolerate your daughter at the same time.”

“Just go,” he said flatly.

I stayed silent. This decision needed to belong to him alone.

The house grew quiet again—and for the first time in months, it felt peaceful.

Dad and I spent the rest of Christmas together, just the two of us. We made a mountain of pancakes with crispy bacon, sipped hot cocoa, watched old holiday films, and laughed about the times I used to sneak peeks at my presents as a child.

Later that night, as the fire burned low and the house glowed with warmth again, Dad handed me another gold-wrapped box.

Inside was the same velvet ring case—and another letter, this time with my name on it.

I unfolded it gently.

Serenya, you are the best part of my life. I hope this Christmas marks a fresh start for both of us. I love you more than anything. – Dad.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” I whispered.

“For what?” he asked, glancing from the couch.

“For everything with Mirabel. I thought once I left for college, you wouldn’t have to juggle us anymore. I just wanted you to be happy.”

“I am happy, darling,” he said softly. “And this ring is yours now. One day, a man worthy of you will slip it onto your finger, and your forever will begin. Mirabel was never meant to be that for me.”