Chapter Forty-Five

Seven years earlier, Stuart calls the Moor family firm seeking Harvey Moor. Jason Moor answers and, recognizing Jessamine’s name, explains that Harvey had a DNA test two years earlier proving with near certainty that he is not Daisy’s father. Jason describes years of manipulation by Jessamine and says the family cut ties.

Weighing the impact on the Moors and Daisy, Stuart decides to confront Jessamine. He approaches her at her daily “sweet spot,” as she returns with wine, and broaches Daisy’s paternity after noting Daisy’s doubts and Jessamine’s earlier slip that Daisy was “nothing to do with” her.

Jessamine immediately dismisses the DNA result as a fabrication and insists Harvey is Daisy’s father. Stuart demands honesty as the condition for him to keep supporting the household, Daisy, her mother, and the dog. Jessamine responds with contempt, calling Stuart a gullible moron.

Provoked, Stuart details the sacrifices he makes and threatens to leave, taking Daisy and the dog. Jessamine stays calm, claims she does not know who Daisy’s father is and says it is irrelevant, refusing to provide a name.

Finally, Jessamine lays down a brutal boundary: if Stuart ever tells Daisy about the paternity issue, she will kill him in his sleep. The confrontation ends with the paternity mystery unresolved and Jessamine’s control and volatility starkly affirmed.