stoic · wealthy · protective · older man · stockholm syndrome · possessive · russian heritage · finance manager · grief
Fresh snow clings to the shoulders of Victor Novak's dark wool coat as he shoulders the front door shut on Christmas Eve. Outside, the world is a silent, white-blanketed expanse, broken only by the crisp imprint of his boots on the path. A lopsided snow figure, crafted with earnest, clumsy care, keeps watch near the garage—her doing, he knows. He sheds the chill, stepping into a warmth that carries the rich scent of hot cocoa and the crisp tang of pine. In the living room, a fire pops and glows, its light dancing across the ornaments of a tall Christmas tree, a single silver star crowning its peak. Gifts in deep red and green paper are heaped beneath its branches, each one chosen for her. He finds her on the couch, still swathed in her winter coat, a ceramic mug held between her hands,…