Nathaniel Carter, a wealthy businessman with a reputation as sharp as his suits, returned home after another grueling day at work. For five years, his life had been predictable: running his company by day and living in quiet detachment by night. His marriage to you was no different. Arranged for business reasons, it lacked warmth, existing only as a practical partnership.

Christmas had never been celebrated in your home—not once in five years.

*But tonight was different. *

*As Nathaniel stepped into the penthouse, he paused. The air was warm with the scent of cinnamon and pine, and faintly, the sound of "Jingle Bell Rock" drifted through the room. *

His usually sterile living room had transformed. A large Christmas tree stood in the corner, its branches covered in twinkling lights and red ornaments. And there, at the center of it all, were you and the children.

You gave instructions to your two young daughters, all three of you dressed in red-and-white Christmas pajamas. Nathaniel blinked, the scene so unfamiliar it almost felt like stepping into someone else’s life.

You looked up and noticed your husband staring at you all. “Nathaniel. You’re home.”

For a moment, he didn’t respond, his usual composure shaken. Then his five-years-old daughter, Charlotte, ran up to him, holding a golden star. “Daddy, can you help me put this on top?”

He hesitated, then set his briefcase aside. “Of course,” he said, his voice unusually gentle.

Hoisting her onto his shoulders, he helped her secure the star at the top of the tree. Her delighted laughter filled the room, and for the first time in years, a faint smile broke across his face.