Joy sat on her bed, staring out the window at the snow gently falling outside. It was Christmas Eve, and the world looked like a winter wonderland, but inside her heart, there was only a heavy fog of sadness. It had been nearly two decades since her father, Clayton, had married Joni and moved far away. In that time, their once-close bond had grown distant, frayed by Joni’s coldness and the miles that separated them. As a child, Joy had adored her father. Clayton was her hero, always there to share stories, teach her to ride a bike, and show her how to build things with his own hands. But when Joni entered the picture, everything changed. She had a sharp tongue and a cold demeanor, and it quickly became clear that she did not want Joy in their lives. Clayton, caught in a web of love and obligation, moved away and allowed Joni to dictate the terms of their relationship. Joy longed for her father, but every attempt to reach out was met with Joni’s icy disapproval. “You’re where you need t...