Early Christmas PresentUpdated at Dec 5, 2025, 22:40
Ruth had always called herself cursed.At eight, she fell down a staircase and cracked her leg so badly the doctors shook their heads in pity. At thirteen, she slipped on dog poo in front of her crush. At nineteen, she got splashed by muddy water while wearing her best dress. And now, at twenty-three, she stood at the peak of her so-called happiness — only to have it shattered four weeks before Christmas.Her boyfriend.Her best friend.In the same bed.The betrayal tasted metallic on her tongue as she drowned her sorrow in cheap alcohol, laughing and crying until the bartender called her brother to take her home. The moment she stumbled into her apartment, she pushed him away, muttering that she was fine, slamming the door—then forgetting to lock it completely.The silence swallowed her as she collapsed onto the sofa.Elsewhere in the city, gunshots echoed against cold walls and hurried footsteps pounded pavement. A government agent, suit dishevelled, blood on his knuckles and fury in his eyes, sprinted through dim alleys until he spotted a half-open apartment door.Without hesitation, he slipped inside.His name was Dominic Vance.Sharp-featured, broad-shouldered, with the arrogant grace of a man who knew exactly how dangerous he was.He waited, breath controlled, and ears strained. When the noise outside faded, he turned... and frowned.The room was quiet. Warm. Almost peaceful.And there she was.A woman sprawled across the couch, cheeks flushed, hair sticking to her face, lips parted in a soft drunken pout.Dominic scoffed.“A drunk sleeping snow white.”Instinctively, the workaholic in him took over. He straightened picture frames, moved empty bottles, and adjusted the blanket that slid off her shoulder. When he lifted her gently to her bed, she stirred, gripping his shirt weakly.Her voice cracked.“Why me, God?” she mumbled, tears trickling down her temples. “I’m not even that bad... am I really that ugly? I just wanted someone nice... A handsome man... a Greek god body... cool and an excellent chef... but that idiot slept with my best friend... even Santa hates me...”Her words dissolved into sobs.Dominic froze.For a moment, the ruthless agent didn’t know whether to laugh or feel something dangerously close to sympathy.He brushed a strand of hair from her damp cheeks, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.“So,” he muttered, lips curling slightly, “you want a miracle, huh?”His gaze swept her trembling form, a slow, calculating smirk forming.“Congratulations, sweetheart… looks like your early Christmas present just broke into your apartment.”Outside, sirens wailed again.Inside, fate had just opened a very dangerous door.