Jessie intervened before she could finish, saying, âMom!â
Jessie squeezed her momâs hand, sensing her anger.
Sheâd heard Monica loud and clear.
Breaking up with Axell was such a good riddance.
Marrying into such a family meant hardship.
She faced Axellâs folks, smiling, âSorry.
Iâm done with Axell.
You canât talk dowry in front of my mom.
And no oneâs looking down on me.
â
Axellâs parents and Lettie were taken aback.
With a sneer, Monica retorted, âMy sonâs top-notch.
I doubt youâd let him slip away.
â
Jessie gave a slight smile.
âTrue, heâs got plenty of admirers.
Anyway, I ended things with him!â
She glanced at the table, only footing Lettieâs coffee bill, ignoring Axellâs folks.
Monica boiled with rage.
Ignoring Monicaâs fury, Jessie left with her mom.
On the way to the car, Lettie grasped Jessieâs hand,
asking, âWhatâs up? I thought you liked Axell.
Why the breakup?â
Jessie spilled to Lettie about Monicaâs request for a grandson and Axellâs fling with Debra.
Though Lettie wanted Jessie hitched soon, she felt for her facing Monicaâs absurd demands.
âAxellâs educated.
I canât believe his folks would pull such nonsense! We havenât even met officially, and his momâs eyeing your dowry.
Outrageous!â
Jessie stayed silent.
Lettie scolded.
Then, she peered at her daughter.
âYou⦠Youâre not really into Axell, are you?â
Jessie was taken aback by the question, but then murmured, âIâm serious about us but weâre not a good match.
â
Lettie dropped it.
Truth was, she knew Jessieâs thoughts.
She fretted Jessie might go back to Albert.
Sheâd seen his persistence that night, feared heâd keep pestering Jessie.
Jessie escorted her mom home before going back to the studio.
After a busy afternoon, nearing eight oâclock, she was leaving work.
Opening her car door, Axell approached, gripping her hand.
âJessie, letâs chat.
â
Jessie hesitated.
She gazed at him coolly, catching him off guard.
Their relationship was short-lived but still nice.
Despite her previous warmth, now she eyed him like a stranger.