Without even turning around, she replied casually, “Oh, Anna, Merry Christmas! Your dad always gives you such extravagant things. Let’s see if this is finally something useful—something I can use.”
“Stop!” I cried. “Dad said not to open it until morning. It’s mine!”
She laughed dismissively. “You’re so dramatic, Anna. Honestly, you don’t deserve half the things your dad gives you.”
Ignoring my protests, Melanie tore off the wrapping paper. Her smug smile vanished the moment she opened the box.
Inside was a black velvet ring box and an envelope with Melanie’s name written in Dad’s unmistakable handwriting. Her hands trembled as she opened the letter and began to read aloud:
“Melanie,
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve done exactly what I expected. I overheard your conversation with your sister about taking Anna’s gift for yourself. I wanted to give you a chance to prove me wrong, but instead, you’ve confirmed my suspicions. You’ve disrespected my daughter for the last time. Consider this my goodbye. Merry Christmas.
– Greg.”
Her face turned pale as she opened the ring box. Inside was the emerald ring Dad had used to propose to her—the one that had belonged to my grandmother and the one I had always dreamed of inheriting someday.
Just then, the front door opened.
“Greg?” Melanie stammered.
“Dad!” I cried, relief washing over me.
There he stood, calm and composed.
“I thought you were on a work trip,” Melanie said, her voice shaking.
“I wasn’t,” Dad replied firmly. “I stayed nearby to see if you’d do the right thing. Instead, you proved me right.”
“Greg, this isn’t what it looks like!” she pleaded.
“It’s exactly what it looks like,” he said. “I trusted you to be my partner and a stepmother to Anna, but you’ve only shown cruelty and selfishness. Pack your things. You’re leaving today.”
Her protests fell on deaf ears. Within hours, Melanie was gone, dragging her suitcase out the door.
A New Beginning
The house felt lighter without her presence. Dad and I spent the rest of Christmas together, making pancakes, sipping hot chocolate, and watching old holiday movies. Later that evening, he handed me another gold-wrapped box.
Inside was the same velvet ring box, but this time it held a letter addressed to me:
“Anna,
You are the most important person in my life. This Christmas, I wanted to give you something meaningful. This ring belonged to your grandmother, and one day, it will belong to a man who truly deserves your love. Until then, let it remind you of how much I love you.
– Dad.”
Tears filled my eyes as I read his words. “Dad, I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t want to make things harder for you.”
He hugged me tightly. “You didn’t, Anna. You’ve always been my family, and I’ll always stand by you.”
That Christmas, I realized the greatest gift wasn’t the ring or even the letter. It was knowing I had a father who loved me unconditionally and was willing to stand up for me no matter what. That’s a kind of magic I’ll never forget.