All Chapters of Forbidden Christmas : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Derek's Pov I woke up before dawn with sawdust in my hair and a crick in my neck from falling asleep in the workshop chair. Again.The bookshelf I'd been building for Sophie sat half-finished in the corner, mocking me. I'd been working on it for three nights straight now, throwing myself into the precise cuts and careful measurements. Anything to avoid thinking about Maya sleeping in the house across the yard.Anything to avoid thinking about the look on her face at dinner two nights ago when I'd used that neutral, distant tone. Like I was talking to a stranger instead of the woman who'd made me feel alive for the first time in five years.I stood and stretched, my back protesting. The workshop was freezing. I'd let the small heater die hours ago. Through the window, the sky was just starting to lighten, that pale gray that comes before sunrise.Maya's window was dark. She was probably still asleep. Probably dreaming about anything other than me.Good. That was good. That was what I

Maya's Pov I couldn't sleep. Again.Three nights in a row now, I'd lain in bed staring at the ceiling, replaying that conversation in the snow. The way Derek had looked at me. The things I'd almost said before he walked away. The way my chest still ached every time I thought about it.The clock on my nightstand read 2:47 AM. I gave up on sleep and climbed out of bed, pulling on my robe. Maybe tea would help. Maybe sitting somewhere that wasn't my bedroom would help. Maybe anything would help.The house was dark and quiet as I crept downstairs. Everyone else was asleep, probably dreaming peaceful dreams, not torturing themselves over impossible situations.I flicked on the small light over the stove and filled the kettle with water. The sound seemed too loud in the silent kitchen. I grabbed a mug from the cabinet and a tea bag from the canister Sophie had left out."Can't sleep either?"I jumped, nearly dropping the mug. Derek stood in the doorway in sweatpants and a t-shirt, his hair

Maya's Pov I sat on my bed at eight forty-five, car keys in my hand, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it.In fifteen minutes, I was supposed to meet Derek at the construction site. Alone. Away from the house. Away from Sophie.My phone buzzed. Sophie."Movie night! We're watching Home Alone. Get down here!"My stomach dropped. How was I supposed to sneak out during movie night?I texted back: "Headache. Think I need to sleep it off."Sophie: "Want me to bring you Advil?"Maya: "No, I already took some. Just need to lie down in the dark."Sophie: "Feel better! Love you!"The guilt was crushing. I turned off my bedroom light and waited, listening to the sounds of the movie starting downstairs. Laughter. Sophie's voice. Home.At eight fifty-five, I crept down the back stairs and out through the mudroom. My car was parked on the side of the house. I'd purposely left it there this morning instead of in the garage.The drive into town took twent

Derek PovI sat in my truck outside the estate for twenty minutes before I found the courage to go inside. The driveway was full. Catherine's rental car. Jason's BMW. Melissa's SUV. Everyone was here.Everyone except me, for the past three days.Three days of hiding in a hotel. Three days of Sophie not answering my calls. Three days of Maya's silence cutting deeper than any words could.Catherine's last text had finally made me come back: "Sophie needs you. Stop being a child and come home."My ex-wife was right. Which was humiliating.I grabbed my bag and walked to the front door. Took a deep breath. Went inside.The house was warm, decorated, full of Christmas music. It looked perfect. Like a holiday card.Catherine sat on the couch with Sophie, both of them laughing at something on Sophie's phone. My daughter looked happy. Relaxed. Nothing like the crying, devastated girl I'd left three days ago.Maybe she didn't need me after all."Derek." Catherine stood up, walking over. She loo

Maya's Pov I woke up to someone jumping on my bed. Again."Merry Christmas! Get up, get up, get up!"Sophie was worse than a five-year-old on Christmas morning. She wore pajamas with reindeer on them and a Santa hat that kept sliding off her head."What time is it?" I groaned."Seven. Come on, we open presents at seven thirty. Family tradition. No exceptions."She bounced out of my room, leaving me alone with my messy hair and complete lack of holiday cheer at this ungodly hour.I dragged myself out of bed and threw on the matching pajamas Sophie had given everyone last night. Red and green plaid. Ridiculous but comfortable.Downstairs, chaos. Sophie was organizing presents into piles. Catherine made coffee in the kitchen, looking far too put together for seven in the morning. Jason sat on the couch already on his phone. Melissa complained about the early hour.And Derek stood by the Christmas tree, his hair sticking up in the back, wearing his matching pajamas. He looked tired. Ador