I huddled deeper into my tattered coat, pulling the collar snug against my chin while I made my way through the thick, knee-deep snow. The wind bit at my cheeks, and I could feel the chill creeping into my bones. It was the day before Christmas, and I really didn’t want to be out in a storm, but I had to answer the call of duty. I had just wrapped up cleaning the floors and scrubbing every corner of the Hensley mansion, a task that typically left my back sore and my eyelids feeling heavy. I was thankful for the opportunity to work.

I’m Addison Greene, a single mom juggling five lively kids at home. Most days, it feels like I’m in a circus act, juggling plates while trying to keep everyone fed and happy. Even when I’m exhausted, I have to stay focused—my kids depend on me, especially after losing my husband, Marcus, three years back.

He would have loved a night like this: fresh snow covering the sidewalk, streetlights shining with a soft glow. Marcus often remarked that the world seemed to transform into something magical whenever the snow began to fall. I can still picture him rounding up our kids—Lucy, Robbie, Chloe, Ethan, and Jade—and hurrying them outside for some lively snowball fights. I could nearly hear him calling out, encouraging me to take part.

A wave of sorrow washed over me, blending feelings of yearning and heartache. Three years without him felt like a lifetime and yet just a moment all at once. As I pushed forward, I tried to shake off the memories, wrapping my arms around myself to fend off the chill.