Half an hour after I broke down in tears, I was wrapped in a velvet robe, lying across the velvet chaise in my private dressing room while Lila brought over my comfiest slippers and Carmen set up an array of comfort remedies like I was recovering from a war wound.
"I'll warm the lavender eye masks," Lila said solemnly, like she was preparing armor.
"And I'll fetch the emergency wine bottle. The one we hide behind the sewing kit," Carmen added.
I let them. I let them fuss and arrange pillows and light candles that smelled like expensive orchards. I let them drag the speaker over and play music low enough not to disturb the rest of the estate, but loud enough to drown my thoughts.
"You think he'll come knocking?" I asked quietly.
Carmen raised an eyebrow. "Would he dare?"
I laughed again. Bittersweet. "I thought he would. I hoped. But no."
