"Did I bother you?

Does that mean you still have feelings for me? Jessie... Have you ever wondered if it's Axell or me who matters more to you right now?

Why not follow your heart and make the right choice again?"

The atmosphere grew slightly tense after Albert's remarks.

Jessie forced a bitter smile. "Albert, isn't it absurd to bring this up now? Frankly, if Elsie hadn't sent the child, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Jessie hesitated to broach unpleasant topics, yet she felt compelled to clarify her stance.

"Ask Elsie to refrain from sending the child here in the future.

There seems to be a misunderstanding on her part."

Albert gazed at Jessie and spoke deliberately. “Elsie didn't misunderstand anything. Jessie, I do wish to be with you. But I won't force you."

Jessie cut him off. "You should take Jeslyn with you. It's not suitable for her to stay here."

Albert paused before asking, “Are you worried about upsetting AxelL?"

Jessie didn't evade the question. "Yes."

Albert's fingers tensed around the doorknob, yet he maintained a gentle smile. “Alright, I'll take her. I won't cause you any trouble.”

He swung open the bedroom door, but Jessie remained rooted in the living room, opting not to follow him inside.

She settled herself on the couch and patiently waited.

Soft, yellow light enveloped the room as Jessie silently awaited Albert's departure with his child. Their paths would diverge permanently thereafter.

Despite Jessie's efforts to steel her heart, she couldn't shake the wistful thought of how different things could have been if Albert had expressed these sentiments three years ago. Back then, she loved him deeply and longed to marry him. But time had altered their circumstances, and now his words held little significance. There was no use dwelling on what could have been.

Albert stepped into the bedroom, the faint light from outside filtering in. He observed Jeslyn lying peacefully on Jessie's bed in the darkness, contemplating how fondly Jeslyn seemed to regard Jessie.

Albert couldn't help but acknowledge that Jeslyn's affection for Jessie must run deep. Otherwise, even ten Elsies couldn't have convinced Jeslyn to come here with her temperament.

Deep down, Albert recognized that his request was unjust to Jessie.