Exhausted from the recent days, he drifted into slumber the moment his head hit the pillow. In his half-asleep state, he felt a tickle on his face, as if a puppy were licking him. Caught between dreams and reality, he reached out to stroke the woman's hair lovingly, murmuring, "Quit it, Jessie. Let me rest! I'm beat!"

Startled awake at his own words, he found himself staring into Daisy's astonished eyes.

In that instant, the facade of their harmonious marriage crumbled.

Pretending not to notice her expression, Albert mumbled an apology and turned away, though he felt no remorse.

Daisy had sought solace in someone else's arms mere weeks into their marriage.