Melissa bit her lip. "Marcus!"

He silenced her with a kiss, whispering softly, "I enjoy your boldness, Melissa. It's something I truly cherish."

The two indulged in lively banter for some time.

Eventually, Melissa cautiously broached the question, weighing it on her mind. "Is the child truly not Mr. Waston's? Does that mean...

Could there be a possibility of him and Jessie reuniting?"

Marcus regarded her silently.

Melissa grasped his arm, speaking softly, "I just worry about Jessie.

I don't imply anything beyond that. Don't dwell on it, Marcus."

Marcus smiled. "I haven't dwelled on it too much. I'm simply considering the best way to tell you the truth.”

Melissa fell silent for a moment, contemplating Marcus’ words.

She believed she grasped his implication.

Indeed, the child wasn't Albert's after all.

After a prolonged pause, she resumed, "I had assumed Jessie had moved on, but her reaction tonight suggests otherwise. It's unjust to Jessie that he has been married, yet how many three-year periods does one have in a lifetime?"

Marcus embraced Melissa, caressing her warm cheek tenderly as he spoke softly. “How many things are fair in relationships, my dear?

Relationships are simply about whether you like and love someone."

If fairness were the measure, Albert and Daisy would have grown old together.

Melissa nestled against Marcus' chest, wrapping her slender arms around his waist.

Marcus kissed her, murmuring, “I'll bring Kiana along. Let's head to Heron tomorrow morning."

The next morning, Matthew woke up to find his sister and parents missing. Elsie informed him that they had gone to Heron.

Disheartened, Matthew stroked Minnie and murmured, “Minnie, it's just you and me now."