Christmas was approaching, and thick snow blanketed the ground.
The Fairfax estate sparkled with festive decorations - twinkling lights draped along the rooflines and every surface polished to perfection. But inside those walls, silence replaced what should have been holiday joy.
A magnificent rosewood table groaned under the weight of elaborate dishes, yet Genevieve sat there with a face like thunder, her fork untouched beside her plate.
"Mother, please try the duck," Ivy urged, delicately placing a morsel in Genevieve's bowl.
Genevieve's forehead creased as she gave a slight shake of her head. "I have no appetite," she whispered.
Everyone had gathered around the dining table - everyone except Kenneth Fairfax.
He'd been trapped at that military camp for months now, ever since his punishment began.
Recently, Genevieve had practically begged Richard to ask around about their son, only to discover Kenneth was stuck on duty through the holidays.
