A Second Chance at Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)

It was past midnight when Albert got back to Heron.

Since he hadn't given Daisy a heads-up, she was taken aback by his sudden return. When he walked in, she exclaimed, “Albert? I didn't expect you back so soon!” Throwing her arms around him, Daisy was met with Albert's indifferent response. “I need a bath,” he said flatly, patting her on the shoulder.

With a gentle ki*s on his chin, Daisy offered, “I'L run the bath for you." Albert accepted without protest.

As he reached the bedside, he shrugged off his coat and collapsed onto the bed.

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.

instant, the facade of

mumbled an apology and

someone else's arms mere

everything. Out of respect for this marriage, Albert still apologized now for saying another

even more taken aback. Albert had called her

wasn't him rejecting her; he simply didn't want her! Perched on the edge

you touch me?

no desire to

from Jessie since tying the knot. He