Page 10 of The Greatest Gift

As I finish the sandwich, I glance at Nakul, really looking at him. He seems so sure of himself. It’s a stark contrast to the chaos I feel most days and I can’t help but wonder what he ever saw in Ava.

“She’s not what I expected,” I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. I really need to learn to keep my inside thoughtsinsidebut for some reason, it’s easy speaking to this man.

Nakul quirks an eyebrow, a tight smile on his face. “Who?”

“Ava,” I reply, leaning against the car as I finish the sandwich. “I mean, I don’t get it. What did you ever see in her?”

He chuckles, shaking his head. His ponytail moves as well, his eyes dancing with amusement. “I could ask you the same thing.”

“Fair enough.”

“It doesn’t matter now. What matters is that Stevie has you.”

His words settle over me like a blanket and for the first time in a long time, I feel a flicker of something close to hope. “Thanks,” I say, meeting his gaze.

“For what?”

“For this,” I reply, gesturing to the empty sandwich wrapper. “For… everything.” Nakul appeared just at the right time to shake things up. I’m still worrying about how I’ll finish everything before Christmas but it isn’t this dire, overwhelming, and consuming thought anymore.

“Anytime, Judd.”

Nakul

I step out of the car the next morning and look up at the towering glass and steel structure of Riocen Chemicals. The sun bounces off the windows, making the building seem more imposing than it probably is. My stomach churns. Maybe I should’ve mentioned this to Judd yesterday during lunch. Working here—at hismother’scompany, of all places—feels like the kind of thing you give someone a heads-up about.

But how do you casually drop something like that?Oh, by the way, I’m going to be at your family's company soon. Hope that’s cool.

It’s already strange enough that I keep running into him. First the café—although that was planned, then the grocery store, and now this. If I’d said anything, it might’ve come across as creepy, like I’m following him around. And I’m not. I’mnot. It’s just… a series of coincidences, right?

Yeah, that’s what I’ll keep telling myself.

I close the car door with more force than necessary and let out a deep breath. My mind won’t stop replaying yesterday. Judd’s shy blush as he ate the sandwich I offered him and then invited me to dinner, the way he fumbled over his words—it’s been circling in my head.

I keep telling myself it’s no big deal, that I just want to help him because I owe him that much. After everything Ava did to him—to us—offering support feels like the least I can do—especially during the holidays.

But why am I soobsessedwith this? Why does it feel like there’s something more I need to figure out? Maybe it’s guilt. Maybe it’s wanting to set things right. Or maybe… maybe it’s something I’m not ready to name yet.

I check my watch. Fifteen minutes early. Time to pull myself together before heading inside.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and when I see Ava’s name on the screen, my stomach twists again—but this time, it’s with anger. I answer with a clipped, “What is it, Ava?”

Her voice is syrupy sweet, the kind of tone she uses when she’s trying to manipulate someone. “Nakul, I don’t understand why you’re so mad. We could still make this work. I mean, even if you can’t have kids, I still have Stevie—”

My hand tightens around the phone. “Stevie? The daughter you abandoned?” My voice is low, a growl on the edge of my words. This isn’t even the first time she’s mentioned it but it still pisses me off every time. “Don’t even start with me again, Ava. You don’t get to pretend now that you care.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” she snaps, the sweetness gone. “Ineededthat time to find myself. You don’t understand what I was going through—”

“I understand perfectly,” I cut her off. “You didn’t want the responsibility. You dumped her on Judd’s doorstep and walked away without a second thought. And now you want her back? Are you kidding me?” We've already had this conversation but apparently Ava didn't understand the first time.

“She’s mydaughter,” Ava insists, but there’s a whine in her voice, a crack in her confidence.

“She’s Judd’s daughter,” I fire back, barely holding back the fury bubbling inside me. “And she’s happy. I won’t let you ruin that for her—or for him.”

She tries to respond, but I’ve had enough. I end the call and turn my phone off, shoving it into my pocket. My hands are shaking and I take a moment to breathe, to calm myself. I can’t let her get to me, not today. This won’t be the last time she calls but it will be the last time she tries to hurt Judd and Stevie.

Maybe this is just some selfish vendetta where I protect them from the pain I wasn’t spared.

When I finally step through the glass doors of Riocen Chemicals, the sleek interior of the lobby feels like another world entirely. Polished floors, minimalist furniture, everything clean and professional. It’s intimidating, but I square my shoulders and head toward the elevators, following the directions I was given.

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