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.

that instant, the facade of their harmonious marriage

expression, Albert mumbled an apology and turned away, though he felt no

had sought solace in someone else's arms mere weeks into their

marriage, Albert still apologized now

more taken aback. Albert had called her Jessie and had been

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

asked, “Why won't you touch me? Is it

had no desire to

kept his distance from Jessie since tying the knot. He especially didn't want Daisy bad-mouthing Jessie