A Daddy for Christmas

Bitter Victory

KELVIN froze mid-laugh, his expression shifting to one of awe. His laughter faltered, his grin fading as Jared’s words sank in.

“Wait—*Aspen*? As in the Aspen everyone dreams of visiting? The snow-covered paradise for the rich and famous?”

Jared gave a faint smirk as he sipped from his wine.

“That Aspen.”

“Jared!” He exclaimed, leaning forward in disbelief. “Hold on, you are telling me you have a job in Aspen? As in my hometown? *Our* hometown?”

Jared took a slow sip of his wine, his expression unreadable.

“Yes.”

Kelvin blinked, still trying to process.

“And you didn’t think to mention this to me? When were you planning to tell me, Jared? Or were you planning to just show up and surprise me?”

Jared’s gaze didn’t waver.

“It makes no difference if I tell you or not.”

Kelvin straightened, visibly taken aback.

“No difference?” he echoed. “We grew up there, Jared. That is where it all started for us, for you, me, and everything we have built. And you think it doesn’t matter to tell me you are heading back there?”

Damian and Eric exchanged curious glances but said nothing, sensing the tension building between their two closest friends.

Jared shrugged, his tone as casual as ever.

“It is just business, Kelvin. I didn’t think it required a formal announcement.”

Kelvin’s frustration simmered, but he managed to keep his voice level.

“You know how much that place means to me. You know how much it means to both of us. And yet, here you are, acting like it is just another job in just another city.”

Jared didn’t respond immediately, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass. The silence spoke louder than any words.

Kelvin shook his head, leaning back in his chair.

“Well I hope you are not planning on staying in some hotel while you are there. You know my family home is big enough for all of us. It always has been.”

Jared’s lips curved into a faint smirk, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“I will figure out accommodations when I get there.”

“That is not what I’m saying,” Kelvin pressed, his voice firmer now. “I mean it, Jared. If you are going to Aspen, you are staying with us. No arguments.”

Jared finally met Kelvin’s gaze, his expression softening ever so slightly.

“We will see about that,” he said, his tone noncommittal.

“We already have,” Kelvin said and picked up his wine glass.

He sipped and then studied his friend for a moment longer, trying to decipher the guarded look in Jared’s eyes. He knew Jared better than anyone, knew when he was hiding something, when he was keeping a part of himself locked away. And this, whatever it was, felt like one of those times.

The conversation shifted soon after, as the guys whiled away their time with more unending conversations.

***

Danielle sat comfortably in the plush chair across from Collins’ desk, her lips curled into a victorious smile. She swirled the wine glass in her hand, savoring both the taste and the triumph that came with finally having Collins to herself.

“I still can’t believe it,” she said, her voice filled with glee. “Jasmine actually filed for divorce. She really left you. I mean, after all her talk about being the perfect wife and holding this family together, she is finally out of the picture.”

Collins sat behind his massive oak desk, silent and composed. His fingers drummed lightly on the polished surface, his expression unreadable. Danielle didn’t seem to notice, or care. She was too caught up in her moment of glory.

“She thought she was better than me,” Danielle continued, her tone dripping with mockery. “But look where she is now. Alone, humiliated, and out of your life for good. And now, finally, we can be together without her hovering over us.”

Collins raised an eyebrow but still said nothing. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting to the window. The sunlight streamed through, illuminating his features, but his thoughts were elsewhere, far removed from Danielle’s celebratory chatter.

Danielle leaned forward, her enthusiasm undeterred by his silence.

“You know, I have waited for this moment for so long. We can finally be open about us. No more hiding, no more sneaking around. It is just you and me now, Collins.”

Before she could say more, Collins’ phone buzzed on the desk, cutting through the air like a hot knife would do through butter. His eyes immediately flicked to the screen, and with a swift motion, he grabbed the phone.

“Excuse me,” he said curtly, holding up a hand to silence her as he answered. “Yes, speaking,” he said into the phone, his tone brisk but polite.

Danielle’s smile faltered slightly as she watched him. She tried to read his expression, but his face gave away nothing. Then, as the conversation continued, a sudden smile spread across Collins’ face, a genuine one, not the forced, polite smile she was used to seeing him give her.

“Alright. I will be there shortly,” he said into the phone, his voice tinged with an excitement she hadn’t heard in a long time. “Thank you for letting me know.”

He ended the call and immediately began gathering his things: his phones, his tab, a set of keys. His movements were quick and efficient, as though he had been waiting for this moment all day.

“Collins?” Danielle said, confusion creeping into her voice. “What is going on? Where are you going?”

Collins didn’t answer. He didn’t even look at her. He stood, adjusted his suit jacket, and with one last glance at his desk, strode toward the door.

“Wait!” Danielle called after him, rising from her seat. “You are just leaving? What about us? What is so important that you can’t even tell me where you are going?”

Collins paused at the door, his hand on the handle. For a brief moment, he turned his head slightly, but he still didn’t meet her eyes.

“I will be back when I’m back,” he said simply, his voice devoid of emotion, “see you then,” he added.

And with that, he was gone, leaving Danielle standing in the middle of his office, her shock slowly turning to anger.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she stared at the empty doorway. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. She had won, hadn’t she? Jasmine was out of the picture, Collins was hers, and yet… he had walked out on her without a second thought.

Danielle sank back into the chair, her victorious mood now soured. For the first time, she began to wonder if she had truly won anything at all.