Chapter Forty-Three

On a bright February morning, Stuart reflects on how two years with Jessamine have devolved into mutual drinking and despair. He tends to Jessamine, who remains bedridden and denies her alcoholism, while focusing on Daisy’s schooling and planning a visit from his daughter, Blaise. Jessamine fixates on money and resents Stuart’s bond with Daisy.

That evening, Stuart cooks for the family. Jessamine, already drunk, belittles Daisy’s appearance and self-expression. When Stuart defends Daisy, tension spikes. Jessamine escalates, flinging her plate at Stuart and attacking him physically, hurling accusations that he’s fixated on Daisy. Stuart insists Daisy needs care to avoid becoming like Jessamine, provoking another assault. Spent, Jessamine collapses and bitterly declares Daisy is “nothing to do with me,” a chilling disavowal.

Later, Daisy checks on Stuart. He minimizes his injuries but affirms his goal to protect Daisy from further harm. They discuss Blaise, and Daisy’s absent father, who stopped visiting around the time Stuart arrived. Despite Jessamine’s prohibition on contact, Daisy shares an office number.

Stuart offers to speak to Daisy’s father to learn what happened, and Daisy warns him to proceed carefully to avoid worsening Jessamine’s volatility. Stuart resolves to move forward cautiously, signaling a potential shift in family dynamics and sources of control.