Twenty Years Ago, I Played Santa for a Little Girl – This Christmas, She Came Back for Me

“I want you to stay and run my business. Be part of this.

Be part of our family.”

I tried to speak, but nothing came out.

She smiled gently, tears in her eyes.

I broke. Right there beside her bed, I cried like a child. They were serious.

And they meant every word.

Mia took my hand as we walked downstairs. “Mom already updated the paperwork. The lawyers have everything ready.

You’re not alone anymore.”

That night, I stayed. We ate Christmas cookies and watched an old movie. For the first time in years, I felt like I belonged somewhere again.

Mia sat beside me and whispered, “That day, you gave me the only gift I remember from my childhood.

The only one that mattered. And now it’s our turn.”

I hugged her like she was mine. Maybe she was.

Mia’s mother passed away two weeks later.

It was peaceful.

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