"I did love him, Dr. Crane." Daphne was saying. "I couldn't stop thinking about him. I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat... and I bought meself all new underwear."

I swallowed hard, unable to believe what I'd just heard.

Dear God...

Had I been holding a glass of sherry at that moment it would have surely crashed to the floor. I could feel myself turning all shades of pink.

"I really thought he loved me. I wanted him to... so badly." She said. "Maybe I'm just not someone that people can love."

At her words, my heart began to race. "Oh Daphne, on the contrary. There are plenty of people who love you."

"Really? Like who?"

Again I swallowed hard. "Well... your parents and your brothers. Frasier and Dad."

And me. I added silently.

"That's very sweet Dr. Crane but I meant romantic love. You know, the passionate love that makes your heart skip a beat whenever see the person; a feeling like no other."

I fidgeted uncomfortably on the sofa. "My... it's... still rather chilly in here isn't it?"

"I am a bit cold." She admitted.

"Why don't you go upstairs to Maris' room and change into something more comfortable, and I'll throw your clothes into the dryer."

She rose from the sofa and smiled, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"I can't thank you enough, Dr. Crane."

I watched, never taking my eyes off of her as she walked up the stairs and turned to me.

"Pick anything you'd like." I called.

When she disappeared, I hurried to the bar and poured myself a sherry, downing it within seconds.

"Here are me clothes." She said descending down the stairs in my bathrobe.

The sight of her caused the room to spin. "I'm sorry. I wasn't sure where Maris' room was."

"Oh of course, how silly of me." I said. "Go down the hallway, seventh door on the right. Across from mine."

"I'll be right back." She said, moving past me. When her arm brushed against mine, I felt my knees go weak.

"Just take your time." I said, hoping she didn't hear the nervousness in my voice. "I'll just put these into the dryer and they'll be ready before you know it."

I hurried across the vast mansion to the maid's quarters, trying to remember where the laundry room was.

Oh, how I wish I had paid attention!

I was mere seconds from calling Marta to get her to refresh my memory, when

I caught a whiff of the all too familiar laundry detergent that had been in Maris' family for generations.

Feeling victorious, I opened the dryer, deciding at the last minute to give Daphne's clothing a thorough washing, so I carefully read the labels and started a wash.

Fortunately her clothes were such that it took minimal separating and thus fewer loads.

Quickly I dashed for the living room hoping that she wasn't waiting for me, sighing with relief when I was proven right.

"I'll be right down, Dr. Crane." Daphne called from staircase, hidden from my view.

"I know Maris' style of clothing differs greatly from yours, but I'm sure you'll find something suitable. And besides, it's only temporary. Your clothes will be ready soon."

"I hope this outfit is okay."

She descended down the stairs, but she wasn't wearing the outfit I imagined she'd pick. Instead of something from Maris' wool collection, she was wearing something entirely different. She wore an all too familiar white silk nightgown with spaghetti straps and a sheer robe.

I remember vividly how I'd run to the store after one of my many fights with Maris, hoping to find something suitable for an apology.

When the helpful sales associate at Nordstrom showed me the lingerie section, I took one look at the nightgown and purchased it immediately. I couldn't wait to show it to my wife.

But to my dismay, I returned home to find a note informing me that she'd decided to spend the week in Aspen so as to avoid anymore confrontations.

And so it sat, untouched in the realms of her closet for years.

Until now...

I stared at Daphne, unable to believe that what I was seeing was real.

Holding a lit candle in one hand, she looked more like an angel than I ever imagined. I looked her up and down, taking in every inch of her appearance.

"Do I look okay, ?"

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out.

And seconds later, everything went black.