Jackson placed the basin of water to the side and strode over to the bed.

"Honey, the water's ready, you can wash up now."

With that, he reached for the blanket covering his wife.

Sophia, still nestled under the covers, tightly gripped the corner of the blanket and said in a muffled voice, "You go out first. I’ll come out and wash in a bit."

Upon hearing this, Jackson glanced at her, seeing her curled up like an ostrich, and realized that helping her wash was out of ...