The snow fell softly against the large glass windows of the quiet suburban home.
Inside the house, the warm living room smelled like fresh pine trees and roasted turkey.
Mark adjusted his dark grey sweater while carrying a silver tray of hot drinks into the room.
His wife Sarah sat on the soft rug, playing happily with their tiny nine-month-old daughter Lily.
Sarah wore a soft royal blue sweater that made her tired eyes look bright and cheerful.
It was their baby daughter’s very first Christmas, and everything seemed absolutely perfect for the family.
The family had spent the whole morning opening colourful presents under the giant green tree.
Mark smiled as he set the hot mugs down on the wide wooden dining table near the corner.
He felt truly blessed after working hard for years to afford this nice suburban property.
Their peaceful moment was interrupted when the heavy front door suddenly opened with a click.
Mark’s older sister Clara walked inside, stomping her snowy boots on the clean front mat.
Clara wore a bright mustard yellow sweater that looked very sharp and expensive against her pale skin.
She shook the cold white snow off her long red hair before looking around the bright room.
Clara did not smile as she dropped her heavy leather purse right onto the hardwood floor.
She had always been jealous of Mark’s success and his lovely happy little family unit.
While Mark had built a stable life, Clara struggled with her own constant financial troubles.
Sarah quickly stood up from the rug and gave her sister-in-law a warm and friendly greeting.
Sarah: I am so glad you made it through the heavy snowstorm today!
Clara: The roads were completely awful and nobody bothered to clear the slippery ice.
Sarah: Come sit down near the warm fire and enjoy some hot chocolate with us.
Clara barely nodded as she walked past Sarah without saying a single nice word.
She looked around the decorated house with bitter envy burning deep inside her chest.
Mark tried to keep the holiday mood light and pleasant for the sake of his wife.
Mark: Can I take your heavy coat, Clara?
Clara: No, I can handle my own clothes just fine, thank you.
Mark sighed softly and turned back toward the kitchen to finish preparing the warm meal.
He knew his sister was often difficult, but he hoped she would behave today.
Sarah lifted little Lily into her wooden high chair right beside the big holiday table.
The baby giggled happily, reaching her little hands toward the red Christmas ornaments nearby.
Clara sat down at the table across from the baby, looking thoroughly annoyed by everything.
She pulled out her expensive mobile phone and began typing messages with a cold frown.
Sarah walked into the warm kitchen for a quick moment to check the hot oven contents.
That brief moment was all it took for the peaceful atmosphere to completely shatter into pieces.