Kalina's POVA year later, I opened my own heirloom restoration studio. I named it "Traces".Anna handled the restoration work, and I paid the bills. It was a pretty fair arrangement, if you ask me.The first piece on display was my mother's magnolia-embroidered dress. I put it in a glass display case, leaving the repaired seams visible.Someone asked why I hadn't had it restored to look like new."Limited budget," I said.Anna overheard me and rolled her eyes. "You bought an entire building last year.""That's different. You have to spend money where it counts.""You spend four figures a month on canned food for your cat.""He's a shareholder."Muffin was sprawled across the checkout counter and let out a yawn right on cue.On the day the studio opened, a package arrived from Bellmont. Inside were 20 white jasmine plants. There was no card.I had the courier send them back.Three days later, another package arrived, this time with a cold-hardy variety of jasmine suited to
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