of her flat, the streets of London alive with the hum of holiday preparations. Tom was waiting at the corner, leaning against a lamppost with h

g her a cup of steaming coffee

caffeine cravings?" she tease

a survival ski

onversations had become more open and layered. Tom's knack for turning mundane topics into philosophi

ou," he announced, leading he

eyebrow. "Shoul

e replied w

between towering oaks. A faded sign above the

rina asked, her

aver. "Come on. It's

carried trays of food, sorted donated clothes, and greeted guests with genuine smiles. Karina cou

he asked, her voice

an sorting canned goods. "Because som

ctantly, she followed him as he introduced her to the staff. Before she knew it, she was peeli

the first time in weeks. When they finally left, her initial skept

was it?" Tom asked

he replied, though h

the doorbell announced the arrival of Santa-or rather, Tony, the jovial actor who played him y

ned," he boomed, plopping down

e perfect Christmas p

"Better! I've

rows shot up.

oftening. "She's Danish, obsessed with Chr

ristmas enthusiast? Y

istmas market. She's got this little stall selling handmade ornaments. There wa

n the spirit of Christmas had always seemed a bit much, but he

et to meet he

"Soon. She's coming

Tom's gentle nudges toward meaningful actions, the unexpected joy she'd found

e allowed herself to feel a flicker of hope-hope that maybe, just maybe, her story wasn't as aimless as s

mily

oorway, watching as her sister Marta flitted between guests, her polished appearance a stark contrast to Karina's own frazzled demeanor. The celebration was in full swing, a tr

chwork of failed auditions and unsteady jobs, paled in comparison to Marta's achievement

the seat beside him. His voice held the g

flitting nervously between her daughters. Though her mother's Yugoslavian heritage had gifted her with a strong w

said, her accent softening her words. "We're so pr

er tone neutral. Inside, resentment simmered, a fa

oup with tales of courtroom drama. Her confidence was magnetic, her presence commandi

d around the dining table for toasts. Ivan

ion. "You've made us proud, and we know this is

ed with gratitude. Karina clapped along, though her heart ached with unsp

pport," she said, her voice steady. "Family has always

t hollow, a rehearsed line that glossed over t

he room. "Is that what you call it, Marta? Because it

rowed, her composed facade cracking sl

I'm tired of sitting in your shadow, of pre

Petra interjected,

aren't we? Let's talk about how Marta gets to be

ng. "I've worked hard for what I have. It's n

ck down. "And it's not my fault you're to

lor, her eyes widening in shock. Petra gasped, covering her mouth with

, her voice low and da

'm tired of hiding for you? Tired of pretending everyt

no longer contain. Marta's lips trembled, her poised exterior crumbling. Without another word, Karin

and Tom had talked before. As if summoned by her turmoil, he

he asked, sit

trembling. "I think I j

silence inviting

ays been... me. I'm sick of it. But tonight, I went too far. I outed her. She's

owed, but he di

ars streaming down her face. "I've been so an

. "You're hurting. And sometimes, hurt

in her hands. "I don'

rgiving yourself. And then you face it head-on. Apologize; tal

red and swollen. "How do y

e had my share of regrets. But I've lea

at night, she felt a glimmer of hope-that maybe, just maybe, she