It's a fair point, which would seem to suggest that this wasn't a planned absence (and so there was no bank of topless work to be dished out--not at all surprising as she clearly doesn't come off as a planner) OR it's driven by a change in relationship status (e.g., either serious relationship or kid). The first reason would presumably end at some point whereas the second one may not, so given that it's been over a year, that's where my bet would be.
Separately, I was watching an interview with Sabrina Nichole (former Playboy model who was SMOKING hot, then did some awful tats and got a BR and then started doing HC). In it, she mentions that when she dropped a BJ video during the lockdowns after the stimulus checks hit, that one vid alone got her $100K. On that basis, I have to imagine Tessa made an absolute KILLING during lockdown--WELL into the 7 figures. So she should be pretty well set up--particularly if she locked down a good relationship.