That's how reciprocity works.
Ines wasn't the type to refuse easily, so she agreed.
Timothy stood up and said, "Please, come with me."
Jessica, unable to leave the villa and uninterested in meeting Timothy's guest, made her way down to the basement.
The basement housed the collection room.
Inside, Timothy's precious treasures were displayed-rare items he'd collected over the years.
Jessica rarely came down here, but the place was always spotless. She only checked in during the damp season to make sure nothing was getting musty; she never paid much attention to the objects themselves.
Her heart and mind were filled with thoughts of Timothy-these items were just his trappings, things that added to his aura.
She didn't want them, nor did she envy them.
The only thing she wanted-greedily, desperately was for Timothy to love her.
With nothing else to do, she wandered among the displays, letting her eyes linger on the items.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps.
unmistakably
And another set-his guest.
Jessica always tried to stay out of sight. She'd heard Mabel mention that Timothy sometimes
things to sell to
a small storage room
Ines into the collection
stepped in, she was
of impressive means, but seeing this in person
with exquisite taste-paintings,
feel free to pick whatever you
widened in
guest today
she'd
the state she was in after getting married, Jessica knew she
known. Many people would love to work with you-and now I see
hard it hurt, her eyes
person who'd always been
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