Tessa jumped to her feet before she could reach them. Her legs were still quivering from the impact of Julian's fingers inside her, but she managed to drag them to meet Maribel.
They stopped close to where Julian sat. He watched them converse before Maribel fell into her arms, sniffling softly.
A fraction of relief, laced with contrition, washed through him.
Knowing that Maribel wouldn't hug Tessa like that if she knew she was messing around with her father, he joined them where they stood.
"Dad." Maribel let go of Tessa and clung to her father in a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry I've been mean to you." She sobbed into his shoulders. "I was just hurt."
Julian sighed, running a reassuring hand over his daughter's back. "Do you feel a little better?"
Maribel smiled, looking up at her da
