Claimed By My Best Friend’s Daddy
The atmosphere was light, easy, the kind of family evening I hadn’t allowed myself to fully enjoy in years.
Then we started exchanging gifts, Mirabel dove in first, tearing into packages with her childlike excitement. She squealed over the new headphones I’d gotten her, the cash I sent to her account, personalized jewelries, luxury skincare sets, and the cozy loungewear Alicia had carefully chosen. I opened a sweet note and a ridiculous reindeer tie from Mirabel, which I promised to wear at the next board meeting and a thoughtful personalized leather notebook from Alicia.
When it was Alicia’s turn, she picked up the slim white envelope I had placed under the tree with her name on it first, a