Two Decades of Estrangement

The Scott family's fleet of luxury SUVs pulled up in front of the grand private winter resort, their tires crunching against the thick blanket of snow that covered the landscape.

The resort, exclusively booked for the family, was a stunning masterpiece of wood and stone—a grand cabin-style lodge surrounded by elegantly decorated villas and chalets.

Twinkling fairy lights adorned the eaves, while soft, golden lanterns illuminated the pathways leading up to the main entrance. The crisp mountain air carried the faint scent of pine and the distant warmth of a roaring fireplace.

As soon as the cars came to a halt, the doors swung open, and one by one, the family members stepped out.

On the outdoor patio, sipping hot drinks and gazing at the snow-covered surroundings, sat two figures who had yet to be introduced into the current generation of family gatherings.