Chapter 1

"Mrs. Sullivan, there's a problem with your marriage certificate. It appears the seal is a forgery," said the clerk with an unsettling nonchalance, leaving Jessica Sullivan, who had come to get a duplicate of her marriage certificate, completely bewildered.

"That's impossible. My husband Anthony Harris and I got married five years ago. Could you please double-check?"

The clerk typed their social security numbers into the computer once more.

"The system shows Anthony is married, but you, Mrs. Sullivan, are listed as single."

"Who is Anthony's legal wife?" Jessica asked, her voice shaking.

"Linda Brown."

Jessica gripped the back of the chair, struggling to keep herself upright.

The marriage certificate, with its bright cover and bold letters, was handed to her. The sight stung her eyes.

If Jessica had any doubts before, thinking perhaps it was a system glitch, the mention of 'Linda' crushed all her hopes.

The lavish wedding from five years ago, the years they spent seemingly inseparable, the marriage she had been so proud of—everything was a lie.

Holding the worthless piece of paper, Jessica walked back home, her spirit crushed.

As she was about to open the door, she overheard a conversation inside.

It was the Harris Group's family lawyer speaking, "Mr. Harris, it's been five years. Isn't it time to give your wife the legal status she deserves?"

Jessica stopped dead in her tracks, holding her breath.

After what felt like an eternity, Anthony's deep voice filled the air.

"Just hold on a little longer. Linda is out there making her mark overseas, and she needs to be Mrs. Harris to stand her ground among the business elite."

The family lawyer cautioned. "However, since you and the missus never made it official with a marriage certificate, she could walk out on you if she ever decides to."

Anthony's gaze fell as he mulled it over, then said, "Linda did give me a daughter. I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe.

"Jess? She's so in love with me, she wouldn't dream of leaving.

"Besides, she burned bridges with the Sullivan family to be with me. She's got nowhere else to go."

In the height of the August heat, Jessica felt a chill as if she had fallen into an icy pit.

Her once defiant choice to marry him, defying her parents' wishes, was all part of Anthony's grand scheme.

All her lingering doubts suddenly clicked into place.

Harris Group, never one for philanthropy, had out of the blue started a charity.

Anthony, who could not stand the noise of kids, showed nothing but warmth to Tracy, the little girl from the orphanage.

It all made sense then why he had been dropping hints about wanting to adopt Tracy—she was his and Linda's child.

Jessica's head spun as she looked into the blinding sun.

Her legs buckled, and she crashed down on the stone steps.

Hearing the commotion, Anthony burst from the house, swept her up, and carried her back inside.

He laid Jessica down on the couch with a gentleness like she was made of the most delicate crystal.

"Jess, is something wrong?"

Jessica raised her head and peered into his eyes brimming with love. She tried to gauge the truth behind them. Was it all real, or was there deceit lurking beneath?

However, she could not unravel the mystery.

Anthony's composure slipped when she did not respond.

"Jess, did you catch wind of something..."

She shook her head. "I think the heat's got to me. I'm all dizzy and sick to my stomach."

Relief washed over Anthony. He stood and turned his ire on Jessica's driver.

"How could you neglect her like this? Go get your pay for the month, and then you're out of here."

Jessica waved him off. "It's such a beautiful day, and I wanted to walk. It's not on him."

Anthony crouched beside her, gently blowing on her scraped knee.

"Your heart is just too big, Jess, too kind."

For five long years, she had been duped, lost in the fantasy Anthony had woven around her.

Jessica's grip tightened on his hand, her heart refusing to believe that Anthony, who loved her so deeply, could lie to her.

Maybe the County Clerk's Office had made a mistake. Maybe Anthony was in the dark too.

Clinging to a final hope, she asked, "Our marriage certificate has been ruined. Should we get it replaced?"

Panic flickered in Anthony's eyes before he regained his cool.

He looked away, avoiding her gaze. "Let the lawyer handle that. You just focus on getting better."

With a sense of despair, Jessica closed her eyes.