Marcus found the voice oddly familiar but chose to focus on Melissa, whose face came into view.

Melissa noticed him too.

Melissa offered a faint smile, straightened her overcoat, and then leaned in to exchange a few words with Albert. Despite bearing scratches on his face from the woman's outburst, Albert remained composed as the woman continued to vent her frustrations. “Melissa, you always take his side."

The woman was Jessie.

Two years prior, Albert and Jessie first crossed paths at the airport.