Delighted CEO

k for someone to take away. "Yes, a stocking for each," I finally agree in a whisper. Lora puts the other three stockings next to each other, and the smile on her face is one of

. Becky notices the change in her daughter's behavior and hugs her, whispering something in her ear. The girl nods and suddenly, as if nothing had happened, she comes towards me and makes a small effort to sit in the empty chair. I look for Becky at that moment, wondering what happened here, but she avoids my gaze as she returns to the food she is preparing on the stove. Archie shifts in my lap, which calls me back to the real world. He leans over the table, wanting to pick up the packaging of the teether that was left there. "I like Christmas," Lora says in a whisper. She rests her arms on the table and rests her head on her left arm, her blue eyes very attentive to me. "But my daddy wouldn't let us decorate the house. He would get very, very angry and say it was silly. I don't know how to react at that moment. I may be a man who doesn't see the importance that others see in Christmas, but I would never do something like that to a child." "Do you also think Christmas is silly, Uncle Hans? You didn't have any decorations and you didn't put up the tree." - Lora, don't disturb Uncle Hans - Becky warns. She drains the pasta in the sink and sends a warning look over her shoulder. The girl shrinks back and hides her face in her arms. - I don't think Christmas is silly - I reply, to the joy of the girl, who raises her head and gives me a sincere smile. I look away at Archie, distracted by the packaging of his teether. He claps his little hands and makes sounds in his baby talk. - I just... I choose my words carefully because I don't want to sound like someone who hates the date. I don't hate it, I just prefer New Year's. - What I don't like is decorating the house - I find the perfect excuse that, in part, is true. - It's a lot of work before and after to put everything away... - I roll my eyes and snort, which makes the little girl laugh softly. Without knowing exactly why, I turn to Becky and see a small smile on her face, caused by her daughter's laughter, her eyes on us as she finishes the pasta sauce. Her happy expression fades when she notices me watching her. Becky clears her throat and sighs. "You don't have to put up the tree, do you, Lora?