It was Christmas eve, and the living room was alive with holiday cheer, the glow of the fireplace casting a warm light on the gathered guests. Steve had outdone himself this year, stringing twinkling fairy lights across every available surface and ensuring an endless flow of food and drinks.
The sound of Christmas carols filled the air as their friends sang along, some better than others, while others huddled in laughter over forgotten lyrics.
Elena stood by the window, a cup of mulled wine in her hands. She watched the snowfall outside, her heart heavy despite the festive atmosphere. She wasn’t sure why she’d agreed to come out of her room tonight—perhaps to avoid Steve’s endless pestering or to prove to herself that she could be around Adam without falling apart. Alex who would have b
