Chapter 10 - Christmas Morning

When Daisy opened her eyes the next morning, the world felt completely different.
The cold, drafty apartment with the broken heater was miles away. Instead, she woke up to the gentle smell of cinnamon, toasted maple syrup, and fresh pine. She was lying under a feather duvet in a grand, sunlit guest room, her lavender coat neatly hung on a wooden chair, replaced by a pair of cozy, brand-new red flannel pajamas that the estate staff had quietly sourced early that morning.
"Mommy!" Daisy called out, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
Jenna stepped into the room, wearing a warm wool sweater that belonged to Matthew’s late wife, her face radiant and rested for the first time in memory. "Merry Christmas, my sweet girl."
"Mommy, did Santa come?" Daisy asked, her voice rising in excitement.
"Why don't we go downstairs and see?" Jenna smiled, taking her daughter’s small hand.
They walked down the grand marble staircase together. In the main living room, under the glowing fourteen-foot tree, sat a mountain of wrapped boxes—toys, books, winter coats, and games that Matthew had instructed his personal assistant to procure from the city’s top shops at first light.
Matthew was standing near the fireplace, wearing a dark green sweater, holding a mug of coffee. When he saw Daisy come down the stairs, his entire face lit up with a warmth that completely erased the cold billionaire he had been twenty-four hours ago.
"Merry Christmas, Daisy," Matthew said softly.
Daisy didn't hesitate. She ran across the polished floor, her small red pajamas swishing, and threw her arms around Matthew’s legs in a tight, unreserved hug. "Merry Christmas, Mister Matthew!"
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Matthew froze for a second, startled by the sudden, pure affection of a child. Then, slowly, he knelt down, wrapping his long arms around the little girl, pressing his face into her hair as a quiet tear escaped his eye and disappeared into her golden curls.
"Thank you, Daisy," Matthew whispered softly into the quiet room. "Thank you for coming to my house."