Chapter 11 - A LIFE WITHOUT THE ESTATE
Tessa left her job at the Costa estate at the end of May.
She gave proper notice, collected her final paycheck, and returned her keys to the household manager. She had completed her medical rehabilitation and was preparing for summer classes.
Vincent was waiting in the courtyard when she came outside.
“You're leaving,” he said.
“Yes.”
“Do you have another job?”
“Part-time work at a clinic. It pays less, but the hours fit school.”
He nodded.
Tessa looked up at the enormous stone building.
“I used to think houses like this meant the people inside were happy.”
Vincent followed her gaze.
“Mostly it meant we had too many rooms.”
She laughed.
He hesitated. “I sold the west wing furnishings.”
“Why?”
“Restitution. Legal expenses. And because I never liked half of them.”
“Especially the painting of the horse?”
“Especially that horse.”
They smiled at each other.
Then the silence changed.
Vincent spoke first. “Would you consider dinner now?”
Tessa studied him.
“You're still involved in the case.”
“Yes.”
“And you might go to prison.”
“Yes.”
“And I'm not going to be another woman waiting around for a powerful man to decide what my life should look like.”
“I wouldn't ask you to.”
She took a breath.
“I like you, Vincent. That's the problem.”
He looked almost startled.
“But liking someone isn't enough,” she continued. “I need to know who you are when you don't have an empire.”
Vincent nodded slowly.
“So do I.”
She shifted her bag onto her shoulder.
“Then figure that out.”
She walked through the gates without looking back.
For the first time, Vincent watched someone leave and did not send anyone after her.
He returned to the house, poured himself a glass of water, and sat in the study without turning on the television.
May you like
He was learning that loneliness could not always be solved by summoning company.
Some things required becoming someone worth returning to.
