Mysterious artifact (part 1)

She released him easily; for his arms had never encircled her the way they used to. Her throat ached from the noxious odors around them and the bitterness of the situation she found herself in.

Wishing she had never asked him to rebuild their home only to find her request rejected, her father's wise counsel rang in her ears: 'Assuming that others will handle their emotions as we do is a pitfall to avoid.'

Egon – who exuded discomfort beside her – clicked his tongue.

"I'm not sure what you were searching for, but if you've lost precious jewelry or an item you wish to retrieve, I can help you find it. You don't need to be here for that."

So it wasn't about him believing in my dreams...

Her husband must have simply assumed she had lost something valuable and had risen before dawn to search for it.  It seemed both of them were making assumptions about each other.

"Thank you for your offer," she replied politely.