Wrong Christmas For Reunion, Santa Ex

Chapter One Sophia’s POV “Do you see what you’ve done, Sophia?” Caroline’s voice sliced through the cold air. “This is all your fault!” She screamed, pointing at me. “You ruined my wedding before it even started” she continued. I couldn’t bring myself to believe that she would get mad at me for defending myself. Her accusations and curses kept rolling out of her mouth, painting me as the villain. I had enough. I could only tolerate so much. “How dare you blame me for this? I never wanted to be here in the first place, YOU forced me” Gasps erupted through the gathered crowd. Okay…You might be wondering what the hell is happening? Let's rewind a little …Hours Earlier The snow had always looked beautiful until it ruined my night. My car's engine coughed weakly and died, taking the heater with it. Just like that, I was stranded on a mountain road in a pink dress that had looked perfect on a mannequin and completely stupid in a blizzard. My palm hit the steering wheel in exasperation “Seriously?” I wrapped my coat tighter, breathing into my palms, trying to pretend this wasn’t the worst possible day for my life to fall apart. My sister’s wedding, Christmas Eve, and now this. I could almost hear her voice in my head. ‘Sophia, stop overthinking. Just show up and smile.’ Right. I would smile. Even though she was marrying a man she’d known for barely a year. Even though Dad would be there, pretending we were one big happy family. Even though I’d be sitting through vows about forever while still trying to forget mine had fallen apart. Halfheartedly, I pushed the door open and got out. Maybe if I touched one or two things in the bonnet, the engine would come up again. But I couldn’t get into action when a sudden glow of headlights appeared through the snow. A red pickup sped past me, crunching through ice, and almost knocking me over. “What the hell!” I cursed out loud The car pulled to a stop and out stepped… Santa Claus??? Not the tired shopping mall version. This one looked like he belonged in a movie, crisp red suit, shiny boots, the whole thing. He waved. “Car trouble, miss?” I stared. “You’re joking.” “Not unless this is a very strange dream,” he said, his voice low and calm, oddly familiar. “Need a ride? The lodge isn’t far. I’m heading there for the Christmas event.” Every warning bell in my head went offWasn’t this how some serial killers operated? But the wind sliced through my coat and I couldn’t feel my fingers, reminding me that I could freeze to death if I stayed here any longer “Fine,” I muttered. “But if you’re a murderer, I’m haunting you.” He laughed. “Fair Deal.” The truck smelled like honey and cedar. Soft Christmas music played on the radio. I sat stiffly, watching the snow swirl against the windshield. Something about his voice kept tugging at me, like a memory half-buried under frost. “You’re quiet,” he said. “I’m just thinking of what headline I’ll get if this ends badly,” I replied dryly. He chuckled. “You never change Still dramatic as ever.” That made me turn. “Sorry?” He shook his head quickly, but a smile twitched under the white beard. “Nothing.” The lodge appeared ahead—warm lights, laughter, and music spilling out into the cold. It looked like the kind of place where everyone was happy, except me. He parked, walked around, and opened my door. “You okay?” “Yeah. Just processing the fact that I hitched a ride with Santa.” “You’re welcome,” he said. “Now my Christmas present to you is…” I immediately shook my head. “Oh no, don’t worry about that, the ride is enough present already.” He chuckled. “I insist miss” Then before I could say anything else, he reached up and tugged off the fake beard. My breath hitched in my throat. The jawline, the scar near his lip, the dark eyes that used to make every part of me feel alive. “Dante?” He grinned. “Hey, Soph.” The ground could’ve opened and swallowed me. My ex. My high-school sweetheart. The boy I left behind without a goodbye. In a Santa suit. “What—what are you doing here?” I hated myself for stuttering, but you couldn’t blame me. Who wouldn’t be stunned to see their ex after six years? He tipped his hat. “Guess Santa came to town.” Before I could manage a response, Grandma’s voice floated from the porch. “Oh, you found Sophia! Perfect timing! Dante’s been helping us with the music—such a dear.” Wonderful. Just wonderful. “Mommy!” A new voice entered the scene, and tiny footsteps rushed towards me at full speed. I spread my arms wide and crouched low, welcoming my little bundle of joy. “My snowdrop,” my hands combed through her hair as her little arms wrapped around my neck. “Did you miss me, Mona?” I asked as I pulled back from the hug, but to my surprise, my daughter shook her head. “Santaq kept me company!” She squealed, looking up at Dante like he was her crush. “He told me crazy stories about you Mommy.” “What?” My cheeks flushed red, but then Mona ran past me and clung to Dante’s legs. “Santa, come see the cookies I baked with Grandma!” I straightened up, stunned as I watched him interact with my daughter. It was a sight I never imagined possible, but here we are. “Alright, Mona.” He fondly ruffled her hair, and she grabbed his fingers and led him inside, but as he brushed past me, Dante offered me a whimsical wink. “See you inside, Soph.” He disappeared into the golden light while I stood there, heart racing, face burning. I wanted to ask Grandma what the hell was going on, but she had disappeared too. She had picked Mona from the city a week before the wedding, saying she missed her granddaughter, and I reluctantly agreed because I knew other members of my family would be around. But then again, this was the last thing I expected. Heaving out a heavy sigh, I pinched the skin between my brows, already feeling a headache pick at my brain. “It’s just one day Sophia. One day.” I reminded myself, gathering my composure as I walked in. Inside the lodge, the warmth hit me like a blanket. People were laughing, hugging, and clinking glasses. I really just wanted to slump into a bed and sleep, but then Grandma pulled me aside. “Sophia, dear, the rooms are packed—can you share with Dante tonight? Just until we sort things out?” I froze mid-step. “What? What about Mona?” “She’s sleeping with me, so don’t worry,” Grandma patted my shoulder like it would solve all my problems. Dante appeared behind me, holding two mugs of cocoa. “Problem?” “Yes,” I hissed. “You.” He smirked. “Relax, it’s just one night. Unless you snore now.” I wanted to argue, but Grandma was already bustling off to greet more guests, leaving me staring at him. He handed me a mug. “You’re still allergic to being helped, huh?” I glared, but the cocoa smelled too good to resist. “You’re still allergic to minding your business.” We climbed the stairs together, both pretending not to notice how close our hands brushed every few steps. The room was small and cozy, just one large bed, a fireplace, and my past lingering around. I dropped my coat on the chair. “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.” He laughed softly. “Relax, I’ll take one side, you take the other. I don’t bite.” “That’s not what I remember,” I muttered before I could stop myself. He raised an eyebrow, the grin spreading. “So you do remember.” I busied myself arranging pillows between us like a wall. “Don’t start.” But once the lights were off, the snow outside muffled everything, and silence filled the space between us. I turned my back, staring at the ceiling, trying not to think about how close he was, how his voice still sounded like home. Then the power flickered, and the room went completely dark. “Great,” I groaned. “Perfect timing.” I fumbled for my phone, but before I could find it, his hand brushed mine in the dark. Warm. Familiar. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “The generator will kick in soon.” His voice was close now, too close, and for a second I forgot how to breathe. I turned slightly, our faces only inches apart. “Dante…” He looked at me the way he used to—like I was the only person that mattered. The air between us tightened. For a heartbeat, it felt like the years hadn’t passed at all. “I missed you Soph” he whispered and leaned in, slow enough for me to stop him, but I didn’t. His lips were warm, soft, too real, and suddenly every reason I’d built for staying away shattered. But just as quickly, I pulled back, breath unsteady. “No. We can’t. This isn’t right.” He searched my face. “Because of him?” My heart stuttered, instinctively knowing who he was referring to. But I didn’t want to think about it. “Because of everything,” I whispered, inching back, putting space where my heart didn’t want it. He nodded once, quiet. “Still good at running, I see.” I wanted to say something sharp, something that would hurt less than the truth, but all I managed was, “Goodnight, Dante.” I turned away, staring at the falling snow through the window until the lump in my throat went away. But long after he fell asleep, I lay awake, listening to the soft sound of his breathing, wondering if some things ever really stay in the past—or if Christmas had just brought mine crashing back to me.