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CHAPTER 9: Guilt and Distance
publish date:
2025-12-01 23:13:38
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Forbidden Christmas Chapter 23: The Wrong Side of the Door
Maya's POVI didn't sleep. I tried, closed my eyes, pulled the blanket up, told myself what Derek had said was true. Tomorrow Catherine leaves. Things get easier. Just believe it.But my brain wouldn't stop.It kept replaying dinner. Catherine's hand on Derek's arm. The photo of the three of them at the beach, Derek's arm around her waist, both of them smiling like people who had no idea what was coming. The way he'd said *we both made mistakes* in that quiet, careful voice that made it sound like he was still protecting her feelings even now.And then his text. ‘You're my present.’I wanted to believe that. I did believe it, mostly. I stared at the ceiling and listened to the house settle around me. Pipes. Wind outside. The occasional creak of old wood doing what old wood does in the cold.At some point the clock on my nightstand said 12:43 AM.I was still awake.I heard footsteps in the hallway.Not Sophie. Sophie walked like she owned every floor she stepped on, heavy and certain.
Forbidden Christmas CHAPTER 22: The Almost Moment
Maya's Pov The afternoon dragged. Jason and Melissa left after lunch. Sophie spent hours with Catherine, packing and talking. And Derek disappeared into his workshop, claiming he had work to finish.I sat in my room pretending to read, but really just staring at my phone, willing Derek to text me. To explain whatever had happened with Catherine. To tell me everything was okay.Nothing.By evening, I couldn't take it anymore. I threw on my coat and headed to the workshop.Derek was bent over his workbench, sanding something with intense focus. He didn't look up when I walked in."Hey," I said."Hey.""You've been hiding out here all day.""Not hiding. Working.""Derek." I walked closer. "What did Catherine say to you?"His hands stilled on the sandpaper. "Nothing important.""You're lying.""Maya, I don't want to talk about it.""Too bad. We promised honesty, remember? No more secrets."He set down the sandpaper and finally looked at me. His eyes were tired. Sad. "She wants to move ba
Forbidden Christmas CHAPTER 21: The Gift
Maya's Pov I woke up to sunlight streaming through my window and the smell of coffee. My body ached in a good way. Last night felt like a dream. The workshop. Derek's hands. His voice saying "I love you."I grabbed my phone. A text from Derek sent at six in the morning."Good morning. I love you. Come downstairs when you're ready. I have something to show you."I smiled like an idiot at my phone.Maya: "Good morning. I love you too. Give me twenty minutes."I showered quickly, threw on jeans and a sweater, and practically ran downstairs. The house was quiet. Most people still sleeping off yesterday's festivities.Derek stood in the kitchen making pancakes. He looked up when I walked in and his whole face lit up."Morning," he said."Morning."We stared at each other for a long moment. Both remembering last night. Both wanting to cross the kitchen and kiss each other. Both very aware we couldn't."Where is everyone?" I asked."Catherine went for a run. Sophie's still asleep. Jason and
Forbidden Christmas CHAPTER 20: After Midnight
Maya's Pov The workshop was warm, lit by soft lights Derek had strung up. A space heater hummed in the corner. He'd laid out blankets on the floor near his workbench, pillows stacked against the wall.He'd planned this. Prepared for it."Hey," Derek said when I walked in. He was still in his Christmas pajamas, a coat thrown over them. His hair was messy. He looked nervous."Hey."I closed the door behind me. The estate was dark through the window. Everyone asleep. Just us and the quiet night."This is nice," I said, gesturing to the blankets."I wanted somewhere comfortable to sit. To talk." He rubbed the back of his neck. "That sounds like a line. I don't mean it like a line.""I know what you mean."We stood there awkwardly for a moment. This was different than all our other moments. No one was about to interrupt. No one could walk in. We actually had time."Come sit," Derek said finally.I sat on the blankets, back against the wall. Derek sat next to me, close but not touching. Bo
Forbidden Christmas CHAPTER 19: Christmas Morning
Maya's Pov I woke up to someone jumping on my bed. Again."Merry Christmas! Get up, get up, get up!"Sophie was worse than a five-year-old on Christmas morning. She wore pajamas with reindeer on them and a Santa hat that kept sliding off her head."What time is it?" I groaned."Seven. Come on, we open presents at seven thirty. Family tradition. No exceptions."She bounced out of my room, leaving me alone with my messy hair and complete lack of holiday cheer at this ungodly hour.I dragged myself out of bed and threw on the matching pajamas Sophie had given everyone last night. Red and green plaid. Ridiculous but comfortable.Downstairs, chaos. Sophie was organizing presents into piles. Catherine made coffee in the kitchen, looking far too put together for seven in the morning. Jason sat on the couch already on his phone. Melissa complained about the early hour.And Derek stood by the Christmas tree, his hair sticking up in the back, wearing his matching pajamas. He looked tired. Ador
Forbidden Christmas CHAPTER 18: Christmas Eve Tension
Maya's Pov Christmas Eve approached way too fast. The house buzzed with activity. Sophie and Catherine baked in the kitchen. Jason and Melissa argued about something stupid in the living room. And I sat on my bed staring at my closet, trying to figure out what to wear to dinner.Derek and I had barely seen each other since he came back two days ago. Sophie's rules were strict. No being alone together. No obvious couple stuff. Act normal.Except nothing felt normal.My phone buzzed. Derek."You look beautiful in anything. Stop overthinking it."I looked out my window. Across the yard, Derek stood at his window, phone in hand, watching me. Even from this distance, I could see him smiling.I typed back: "How do you know I'm overthinking?"Derek: "Because I know you. And because you've been standing in front of your closet for twenty minutes."Maya: "Stalker."Derek: "Guilty. Now pick the blue dress. It's my favorite."I pulled out the blue dress I'd brought. Simple, fitted, appropriate
Forbidden Christmas CHAPTER 15: Breaking Point
Maya's Pov I sat on my bed at eight forty-five, car keys in my hand, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it.In fifteen minutes, I was supposed to meet Derek at the construction site. Alone. Away from the house. Away from Sophie.My phone buzzed. Sophie."
Forbidden Christmas CHAPTER 10: Cold Distance
Maya's Pov I woke up with swollen eyes and a headache that felt like someone was hammering nails into my skull. Crying yourself to sleep will do that.I grabbed my phone from the nightstand. 6:47 AM. Way too early, but I knew I wouldn't fall back asleep. Not after last night.I opened my messages
Forbidden Christmas CHAPTER 7: Close Quarters
Derek's PovI stood in my workshop staring at a piece of wood, seeing none of it. My hands moved on autopilot while my mind replayed this morning on an endless loop. Maya falling. My arms catching her. The perfect way she fit against my chest.I was in serious trouble.My phone buzzed. Sophie."Dad
Forbidden Christmas CHAPTER 6: Decorating Day
Maya's Pov I woke up to the smell of cinnamon and coffee. For a moment, I forgot where I was. Then everything came rushing back. The estate. Derek. Last night's text messages that I read at least fifty times before falling asleep.I grabbed my phone. No new messages. Part relief, part disappointme
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