"Thank you so much for coming, lanie," Marianna said warmly as she set the teacup down beside the papers and stared at the girl in front of her, almost unable to move her eyes. "I was really looking forward to this. I know it’s a bit of an imposition, especially with your schedule... but I truly value your input."
lanie gave a polite smile and shook her head, a smile on her face, which was more out of reflec than it was genuine as she continued, "It’s no problem. I’m just not entirely sure I’m the best person for this sort of thing. I don’t really have a lot of experience with interiors or layout choices. Not in this kind of setting, at least."
Marianna tilted her head, her eyes kind. "That might be exactly why I want your input."
lanie looked up, slightly confused.
"I an it. Last ti when you saw the pictures and suggested the changes, suddenly made sense. Everything you’ve suggested so far-whether you realised it or not- has made feel exactly why this house never felt like ho. And whenever I imagine the changes you’ve suggested, it feels like his house will feel more like a ho again. Even that comnt you made last ti about the sitting area feeling too formal and old fashioned, I wanted that changed, and it feels warr now. Less stiff."
lanie gave a faint, almost reluctant smile as she looked around the small study, curious at the holy feel of it, different from the rest of the house, "That wasn’t a suggestion really. It was more of an observation. But this place... you’ve emptied the entire house and not touched a single thing here. Why?"
Marianne glanced around at the study and smiled and then at the frad picture on the desk.," I dare not change anything here. This is my husband’s domain that he lets use all the ti. But if I make changes, he might actually ban from entering."
lanie grinned at that and nodded," I can understand that. n can be guarded about their territories."
That’s exactly what I appreciate. See, you understand . It is why I am choosing you. I’d rather sothing feel a little mismatched, a little lived-in... than have it look like it belongs in a showroom catalogue. There’s sothing cold about that kind of perfection. It doesn’t suit this house. Or . Now, I love this room and it has been done up by him, who doesn’t know anything about colour coordination. I think we get used to assuming that only the experts know best. But sotis, an honest reaction, a fresh pair of eyes, is worth just as much, if not more. That’s what you’ve given ."
She stood up then, and almost clapped her hands," See this. These pictures were taken so many years ago, but he insists on keeping them here. I’ve tried telling him so many tis that we should add so of out new pictures rather than these almost faded ones from two decades ago, but he insists. Co, lanie. See this."
lanie stood up and walked towards the bookshelves with the pictures slowly and smiled," Actually, these pictures are just perfect. No wonder your husband insists on keeping them. You looked beautiful, Miss Thomas."
Marianne rolled her eyes," Stop with that Miss Thomas thing, I’ve already told you that. And thank you for the complint... But most days I am embarrased by the pictures. I look so smitten with him."
lanie tilted her head. "You two look so... at ease."
Marianne smiled. "That one’s from Florence. He always complained about the heat, but I think that’s the happiest he ever looked on cara." Even as she said this, she tried to look at lanie. This was actually their last vacation before lanie had been taken away. She had millions of pictures with the three of them... She could not help but wonder if lanie rembered this.
But as her gaze shifted to the second photo, Marianne felt disappointnt. lanie had been her father’s little princess, always crawling into his lap when he returned. She had hoped that she would actually recognise him. This next was more candid-taken indoors, at lanie’s second birthday party. She knew it was too much to expect her to rember but she was hoping she did.
Then ca the third photo and she watched lanie pause and get a frown on her face.
Then ca the third photo, and Marianna’s eyes locked on lanie’s expression.
She saw it—that tiny shift.
lanie leaned forward slightly, her gaze narrowing, a faint frown settling between her brows. Her lips parted, just a fraction, as if she were about to say sothing.
But before the words could co, her phone buzzed sharply and looked down at the screen and replied to whatever ssage she had received... Marianne watched her, hoping that she would go back to the photo instantly but instead, she looked up at her and said, "Miss Thomas. I’ve already seen the entire house and taken the notes we might need. I’ll definitely share a few curated selections with you- so vintage pieces, and maybe even a couple of signature items from Mr. Nate Denoit himself. His studio just launched a new line last week. I think you might like them."
Marianne opened her mouth to respond, to stop her, but lanie was already reaching for her bag.
"I’ll take my leave now," she added with a polite, almost rushed smile. "There are a few more etings I need to get to today, and I don’t want to run behind."
"lanie—wait," Marianna said, stopping her hurriedly, "Would you mind staying just a few more minutes? There’s soone-"
"I’m really sorry, but I can’t," lanie interrupted her and said slowly, "I’ve overrun two schedules this week already. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late for the next client."
Marianne tried again, her heart starting to race. Her husband had been delayed. And if he missed lanie, he would be disappointed, "Just five minutes. He-"
But lanie was already opening the front door.
And there he stood.
The man on the other side of the threshold was tall, broad-shouldered, his expression mild but unreadable. He held a folder in one hand and had clearly just raised the other to ring the bell again.
For one heartbeat, everything was still.
lanie froze in the doorway.
Her eyes landed on him- and she didn’t move. Her polite smile faltered just slightly, replaced by sothing unreadable. A flicker of sothing. Surprise? Confusion?
The man blinked and gave the faintest of nods and lanie nodded back," You still look the sa." The man blinked again, his eyes almost moistening at the words. Did his daughter really rember him?
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