CHAPTER 5

Jessica stepped out slowly. The air outside felt different, almost unreal.

In front of her stood a large white mansion. It looked like something out of a dream.

She paused for a moment and stared at it before continuing forward.

Jessica slowed her steps unconsciously, afraid the moment would end too quickly.

The doors of the mansion opened automatically as she approached, the soft mechanical sound almost too smooth to notice.

The moment Jessica stepped inside, her eyes widened slightly.

The air carried a light scent of fresh flowers mixed with something clean and expensive.

Jessica’s eyes moved slowly from one gold-framed painting to another.

Jessica slowly looked around, taking in every detail.

Jessica ran her fingers lightly across the smooth staircase railing, unable to hide the excitement in her eyes.

The maids lowered their heads respectfully the moment Jessica walked in, making her feel important almost instantly.

“Welcome, miss.”

Jessica barely looked at them.

“Take my bags to my room,” she said casually. “And arrange my clothes properly. I don’t like messes.”

“Yes, miss,” one of the maids replied carefully.

Jessica walked through the mansion confidently, as though she already belonged there.

The carpet felt soft beneath her heels as she moved through the quiet hallway.

She chose a large room with a wide bed that sank slightly when she touched it. The room also had a beautiful window overlooking the garden outside, where neatly trimmed plants swayed gently in the breeze.

Jessica slowly unpacked her things and arranged her jewelry carefully, watching the pieces shine under the light.

After a while, she called the maids again.

“Bring food,” she ordered. “Quickly. I want everything ready.”

The food arrived soon after.

Fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, and coffee were neatly arranged on expensive plates. The smell of warm bread and freshly made eggs filled the room, mixing with the rich scent of coffee.

Jessica began eating immediately.

At first, she stayed quiet, only making small comments whenever something did not satisfy her completely.

Then suddenly, her expression changed slightly.

“This coffee is cold,” she said sharply. “And what is wrong with these eggs? Take them away and make another one.”

Her voice cut through the quiet dining room harshly.

The maids immediately hurried around nervously, afraid of upsetting her further. Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor while Jessica watched them closely, ready to complain again if anything displeased her.

‘These people are lucky Eric trusts me,’ she thought proudly. ‘I can make them do anything for me. I am not like Tessy. I am going to enjoy this life.’

By evening, Jessica had already explored most of the mansion.

The sound of her heels echoed softly through the long hallways as she moved from one room to another.

She tested the furniture, sat on different chairs, checked the closets filled with expensive clothes, and even rearranged some things to suit her taste better.

Every part of the mansion carried the faint scent of expensive perfume and fresh cleaning products.

Finally, Jessica dropped onto the soft sofa in the lounge. The cushions sank gently beneath her weight.

A satisfied smile slowly appeared on her face as she looked around the large and quiet space.

“This is my life now,” she said softly to herself. “The life of a rich man’s wife. Bad luck, Tessera Stone.”

Tessera Stone was busy preparing to start work at Edison Global. She had no idea that her sister had stolen a life she waited seventeen years for.

After settling down at Springfield. The next day, she headed to Edison Global to start work.

She had been offered a job at the company last week after many months of applications.

The glass and steel exterior of Edison Global shone brightly under the morning sun, making the building look even more powerful and intimidating.

The parking lot was filled with luxury cars, black SUVs, and sleek expensive sedans.

A cool morning breeze brushed lightly against Tessy’s skin as she walked across the parking lot with her bag hanging by her side.

 Her eyes were fixed on the huge building ahead, and she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness in her chest.

Suddenly, a shiny black luxury car swerved past her, the breeze from the speeding car nearly pushed her down as it missed her by inches.

“Hey! You nearly hit me!” Tessy shouted, her voice laced with shock and rising as she stepped back quickly. 

What mad driver will be driving with this speed in a parking lot?

She waited for the driver to come out, her hands on her hips, but no one came. 

The car stayed still, its tinted windows hiding everything inside.

 She frowned, tapping her foot impatiently on the ground.

Through the tinted glass of the car, Jessica spotted Tessera and froze.

Her mouth fell open slightly, and for a moment she did not move. 

‘What is this witch doing here?’ she thought.

 Shock held her still, her mind refusing to process what she was seeing. 

She had believed she had left all of Tessy’s life behind—her humble background, her past struggles, poverty. Their father will soon die in the hospital. 

Tessy will never know I’m in Springfield much less working in Edison Global… But now, here she was, standing right in front of her. 

Jessica’s thoughts ran fast, each one wild and unsettled. 

How did she find out? Who told her that I was here?

Finally, Jessica pushed open the car door and stepped out.

The cool morning air touched her skin as she moved forward with slow, deliberate grace, as if she was walking on a runway instead of a parking lot. Even though she was unsettled by the sudden appearance of Tessy, she still wanted to show off. 

Her red designer dress fit perfectly against her frame, her red heels clicked against the ground with every step, and her red handbag swung lightly from her shoulder. 

 Everything on her was red in colour. 

She flipped her hair twice and turned toward Tessy with a smile that looked perfect, but she was forcing herself to smile. 

Tessy stopped where she stood, her jaw dropping  to the ground in shock as she took Jessica in.