On a cold Christmas night in the heart of the city, Thomas stood on Oxford Street, battling the chaos within him. The festive lights twinkled, casting a glow that seemed to mock his sadness. Just a few days ago, laughter had filled his home, but now all that remained were the echoes of a love that had slipped through his fingers.

Every hanging ornament, every flickering candle, stirred up memories of Sarah. They had shared countless moments under the glow of Christmas lights, their dreams woven together like strands of tinsel. But now, her absence was a heavy weight on his chest. Tears streamed down Thomas's face as he recalled their last fight—the harsh words exchanged in a moment of anger had left him with a heart full of regret and poison.

He walked on, the starry night breaking into his thoughts, each step leading him further into despair. "Just walk away," the shop windows whispered, but the reality of her being gone made it impossible to move on. Everywhere he looked, couples were wrapped in each other's warmth, laughter mingling with the chilly air, while he felt like a ghost haunting the streets.

As he caught sight of the sparkling decorations overhead, hope flickered within him like the fragile flames of the candles around him. He fantasized about a reunion, holding onto the beautiful chandeliers of hope that danced above him. In his mind, he was singing out loud, just like Elvis, with the words of love he had never been able to fully express. “I always loved you, darling, and I always will,” he admitted to the night sky, though it felt hollow without her by his side.

He wandered deeper into the festive throngs, searching for a sign, something that might illuminate his path back to her. The crowd surged around him, laughter ringing in his ears, but he felt isolated, waiting for the snow that never came. Without it, Christmas felt bare—a hollow shell of what it used to be.

Then, from amidst the swirling mists of his grief, the twinkling lights beckoned him one last time. He paused at the sea’s edge, where city and water met, and closed his eyes. "May all your troubles soon be gone," he whispered, hoping the lights would grant his wish.

As he opened his eyes, glimmers of light sparkled against the dark waters, and for a fleeting moment, he believed. Perhaps these Christmas lights could somehow find their way to her, calling her back to him. “Keep shining on,” he breathed, allowing himself to dream of a world where everything was whole again, where Sarah would return and all his troubles would fade.

In that moment, Thomas realized that while he waited for the snow to fall, he could still carry the light of hope in his heart. A flicker ignited within him, reminding him that even in despair, love has the power to illuminate the darkest nights.