The villa had been cleaned and set in order by someone Sean hired. Even the hydrangeas and roses out in the garden and on the terrace looked lush and alive, like they’d been cared for with real attention.

When Talia and I arrived, a woman in her fifties was tidying the living-room vases. The second we walked in, she hurriedly put down the scissors and the sunflowers in her hands, came over to help carry our luggage, and introduced herself with a bright, practiced ...