Chapter 42

• Olivia’s POV
• The decisive click of the front door latch echoed through the apartment as Jessie departed for her shift at the hospital, leaving me enveloped in a profound stillness. The children, my precious Sophie and her spirited brother Cal Jr., had already been whisked away to school by Cal, their father, in the immediate aftermath of Jessie’s early departure. The late morning light filtered softly through the sheer curtains, casting gentle shadows across the familiar spaces, and for a fleeting moment, the apartment felt as though it were holding its breath, suspended in a quiet anticipation.
• We had found an unexpected sanctuary within these walls, residing under Jessie’s roof for what had become a significant chapter of our lives. Her hospitality transcended mere accommodation; she never once made us feel like transient guests. Instead, with each shared meal, each bedtime story whispered in the dim light, our lives were slowly, organically intertwining, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences and quiet understanding. Today, a deep-seated desire stirred within me – a yearning to reciprocate the unwavering kindness she had shown us. Jessie, a constant caregiver, a pillar of strength for everyone around her, deserved to be cared for in return, and I felt an undeniable pull to nurture the space she had so generously opened to us.