She lifted her head slightly, controlling her emotions. "Nicely put. It seems you love me deeply. Where was this side of you before?"

Unable to fully express her anger, she couldn't resist slapping him across the face.

Albert didn't evade the slap. Perhaps he felt guilty, or maybe he found her spirited nature appealing. Regardless, after the fourth slap, he caught her hand and murmured, "If you slap me again, I won't tolerate it."

While Jessie was lost in thought, he lifted her and placed her on the back of the sofa.

With tears still in her eyes, he got down on one knee before her and said in a husky voice, "Don't move."