A wave of sadness washed over Jessie.
She gently clasped Jeslynâs hand.
Glancing up, Jessie spotted a figure at the doorway of the girlâs room.
Dressed in white with dark hair, he cut a striking figure in the dim Light.
It was Albert.
His eyes held an inscrutable depth, their meaning lost on Jessie.
She couldnât even gauge how long heâd been observing them from there.
In that moment, a bolt of lightning sliced through the night sky, illuminating their faces with clarity.
They could see each otherâs expressions distinctly.
Albert perceived the conflict in Jessieâs eyes, while Jessie observed the longing in his gaze.
His desires seemed as boundless as the storm and the darkness of the night.
After a moment of hesitation, Albert walked toward Jessie.
Without speaking to Jessie, Albert gently touched Jeslynâs arm.
Jeslyn whispered, âDaddy!â
Albert smiled and glanced at Jessie before moving to the window to securely shut it.
He turned back and whispered, âJeslynâs bed is too small for both of you.
You can sleep in the guest room.
â
Before Jessie could respond, Jeslyn protested, âI donât want to sleep in the guest room.
I want to sleep in your big bed.
Iâll sleep with Miss Green.
â
Jeslyn also suggested a sleeping arrangement for Albert, saying, âDad, you can sleep in my bed.
â
How could Jessie agree to this?
How could Albert allow Jessie to get away? He regarded her with a tender smile and purposefully inquired, âMiss Green, what are your thoughts?â
He approached Jessie again and whispered in a voice only she could hear, âMy bed is large and comfortable.
Itâs very inviting.
â
It was clear that he was trying to seduce her.
In that moment, she couldnât help but reminisce about the past.
She recalled the sensation of her body sinking into the plush bed, perspiration beading on her skin as their fingers intertwined.
She had surrendered herself to his powerful embrace time and time again.
She tried to push those thoughts away, but they raced through her mind like a runaway horse.
She turned her face away, wanting to decline, but Jeslyn took her hand and gave it a gentle shake.
Jessie had the illusion that she had been tethered to Albert during the first half of her life and would be similarly bound to Jeslyn in the second half.
Moreover, Jeslyn was Daisyâs child.
Despite Jeslyn not being Albertâs biological child, Jessie still harbored reservations about the situation.
Jessie felt overwhelmed by her thoughts.
When she snapped out of it, she found herself already in the master bedroom, with Jeslyn happily rolling on the soft bed.
Jessie struggled to call her mother from the sofa by the window.