Sensing Jessie's thoughts, Albert offered a bitter smile and reached for a cigarette without conscious thought. "I could use a smoke," he murmured softly.

Albert felt the need to unwind before proceeding. The memories he was about to delve into were far from pleasant.

Jessie turned her eyes away. “I'm not interested in your business," she asserted.

Albert gazed at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. “You're just mad at me," he observed.

Afterward, he quietly ignited a cigarette and inhaled deeply. At that instant, he appeared to regress into the carefree youth he was two decades ago.