Jessa’s face fell. She hadn’t counted on Joanna and Ella showing up right now. Neither of them was supposed to be here. She jumped up from her seat and forced a smile. “Mom, what are you doing here?”
Joanna gave her a gentle look. “Jessa, I just wanted to check in on you.”
“I’m fine, Mom, really. You don’t have to worry about me,” Jessa said, trying to keep her tone light. “But why’d you bring Ella?”
Ella just blinked at her, a sweet smile on her face. “Hi, Ms. Wade.”
Jessa stepped over and clung to Joanna’s arm. “Mom, you have no idea… Ella and I have bad blood. She was always picking on me. I really don’t like her.”
Joanna let out a tired sigh. “Jessa, Ella told me about what happened between you two. She’s a good kid. Maybe there were some misunderstandings before, but I want you both to get along from now on. Can you try?”
Jessa stared at her mom in disbelief. Was she really taking Ella’s side? The resentment bubbled up so fast she could barely hold it in. Of course, they’re real mother and daughter. She felt so left out.
“Mom, I’m your daughter. Why do you never stand up for me?” Jessa said, her voice coming out small and wounded.
Joanna looked frustrated. “Jessa, you are my daughter. But I really like Ella too. I just want you both to be civil with each other, that’s all.”
Jessa just stood there, speechless. Ella caught Jessa’s look of defeat and couldn’t help feeling a little triumphant. She glanced around, then asked, “Where’s Mr. Wade?”
Jessa’s heart lurched. Joanna’s expression changed, as if she’d just remembered something. “Jessa, where’s your father? Didn’t he come home? I haven’t seen him.”
A sly idea flashed through Jessa’s mind. She smiled. “Dad’s upstairs in his room, Mom. Did you need to talk to him? I can take you.”
Jessa stepped back from the door. “Mom, I can’t even explain. You should see for yourself.”
Joanna and Ella moved closer, peering through the gap in the door. Inside, Moss had Louise pinned on the bed. They were both in pajamas, the whole scene a mess of tangled limbs and heavy breathing. Moss looked lost to the world, clearly under the influence of something, but Louise’s eyes were sharp. She’d already noticed them at the door.
Louise turned her head and caught Joanna’s eye. A slow, taunting smile spread over her face. She looped her arms around Moss’s neck and purred, “Moss, don’t hold back. I want you.”
She pressed a kiss to his cheek. Moss’s eyes were wild, his breathing ragged. He pushed Louise further into the bed, his hands yanking open the front of her nightgown. Her skin flashed in the light, the thin slip she wore underneath leaving little to the imagination.
Louise was eating up the attention. She let out a breathy moan. “Oh, Moss, be gentle.”
Joanna stared, frozen at the doorway, her whole body tense. After a long moment, she turned away and walked off without saying a single word.

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