Chapter 9

Anthony claimed he was tied up with Tracy's adoption paperwork and did not come home all weekend.

That gave Jessica the space she needed.

Throughout those two days, Linda bombarded her with messages. Sometimes a blurry photo of a couple, other times a video too explicit to describe.

Occasionally, it was Linda's gloating voice taunting her.

"What does it matter if Anthony professes his love for you, Jessica? At the snap of my fingers, he's groveling at my feet, isn't he?"

"I heard you're throwing a welcome party for Tracy. Mind if I drop by? My connection with Tracy is... let's say, quite intimate."

…

Jessica ignored the glaring provocations, meticulously archiving each one.

Anthony was planning a surprise for her, and she knew she had to return the favor with a gift of her own.

They were throwing a welcome bash for Tracy, and it had to be a blowout.

Jessica whipped up invites for Anthony's friends, the company's bigwigs, and even the Harris family's long-lost kin.

Linda got her invite too.

At first, Anthony was against her coming, but she promised up and down she would not stir up trouble with Jessica, so he gave in.

"The lawyer has been in touch, right? We're sorting out the divorce on Monday."

Linda's heart skipped a beat, her frustration simmering inside her.

While Anthony was busy at the office, she made a beeline for the orphanage.

"Tracy, you want to stay with Mom and Dad forever, don't you?"

Tracy's eyes lit up. "You bet!"

Then her spirits fell. "But Dad said it's our secret, can't let Ms. Jessica catch on, or I can't come home."

Linda gave her a sly look and whispered a plan into Tracy's ear. "On the day of the welcome party, you just…

"You got it, sweetheart?"

Tracy nodded, as serious as she could be. "I'll do just like you said, Mom."

Linda had not fought for the Mrs. Harris title before because Anthony's prospects were nothing to write home about compared to her other admirers.

She had her pick of the litter back then.

However, after some incidents overseas... She was back, determined to reclaim the coveted spot once held by Mrs. Harris.

On the eve of the weekend, Jessica peered into the celestial canvas for one last time through her bedroom telescope.

The once vibrant blue stars were then fading.

At the stroke of midnight, a particular star burst into a dazzling light before etching a perfect arc across the sky. Then, it vanished into the cosmic expanse.

Anthony was still out, having only called to check on the details of tomorrow's welcome party.

Surveying the opulent living room, Jessica murmured to herself, "Rest assured, it'll be a day to remember."

At the same time, she secured her flight back to Hudson City for the following morning.

'Whoever chickens out is a scaredy-cat,' rang Simon's taunt in her mind.

Sleep eluded her, and as dawn broke, she rolled her suitcase out of the villa where a sleek van awaited.

Slipping on her sunglasses, she whispered, "Farewell to a ludicrous past."

Startled awake, Anthony found himself with Linda still nestled in his arms.

A nightmare had gripped him, one where he and Jessica were nestled together, stargazing.

However, in an instant, darkness swallowed the sky, and Jessica was gone.

Panic soaked his dream-self, searching frantically.

"Jess!"

Linda, groggy and annoyed, blinked open her eyes, "Anthony, you're disturbing my sleep."

A sense of foreboding washed over him.

Shoving Linda aside, he scrambled into his clothes.

On his way, he dialed up the family attorney. "Head to the County Clerk's Office the moment they open and get that marriage certificate. Don't waste a second."

The lawyer promised over and over to handle it, and only then did he allow himself a moment of ease.

At a red light, a sleek black van pulled up beside him.

His phone still displayed yesterday's chat with Jessica. "It'll be a day to remember."