After four years of marriage, they had finally decided to remodel their bedroom. It should have been an exciting project, but instead it had turned into a battlefield of tastes. He imagined a dark, moody space with bold lines and powerful features—something modern and dramatic. She, on the other hand, dreamed of a soft, feminine retreat filled with gentle colors, flowing fabrics, and light. What started as a simple difference of opinion had turned into weeks of quiet tension and sharp words.

Now, on a cold December evening, the three of them sat together by the fireplace, trying to capture the perfect family photo for their Christmas card. Their 9 months old son was wriggling in her lap, giggling at the flickering flames. She smiled warmly at the camera, her hand resting on her husband’s knee. He smiled too, but his eyes told another story.

Behind that practiced grin, he was frustrated. The half-finished bedroom upstairs was a constant reminder of their disagreement, and he couldn’t shake the thought that he’d wanted it done before Christmas—before the decorations, before the photos, before the year ended. The camera clicked, freezing their smiles in time, a picture of a happy family—if only for the sake of the card.