Semua Bab A Song of Longing: Bab 21 - Bab 26

Linda smoothed her dress and flashed her sweetest, practiced smile.She sidled up, her neckline daringly low."Mr. Canfield, my hero, do I owe you my hand for saving me?"Before she could bat an eyelash, Simon's secretary whisked her away by the collar.Simon slouched in his chair, his voice dripping with boredom. "You think you're in my league?"Linda's face soured. She was not a knockout like Jessica, but she was no slouch in the looks department. How could Simon dismiss her so easily?She settled back into her chair at the dining table. "Alright, what do you need me to do?"Simon had dangled a carrot in front of her: 750 thousand dollars. With that money, she could whisk Tracy away from the orphanage and they could vanish into the horizon, just the two of them."And who's Tracy's real dad?"Simon planned to play Linda like a chess piece against Anthony, but he needed something to hold over her head.He never knew what Linda might do when she snapped—she was a ticking time

On the eve of their wedding, Jessica played the 'bride and groom can't see each other before the big day' card to shoo Simon away.Simon pleaded from the other side of the door, "Come on, we're going to be together tomorrow night anyway, let me in."Jessica clicked the lock shut. "Nope, it's bad luck. Besides, it's tradition."The moment Simon heard 'bad luck', he immediately agreed."But I miss you so much already. What am I supposed to do?"With a playful roll of her eyes, Jessica teased, "Simon, it's been less than five minutes since we said goodbye."Little did Jessica know, Simon was the ultimate romantic, hopelessly attached at the hip.Left alone after Simon's reluctant departure, Jessica tossed and turned in bed, sleeping just out of reach.She would become Mrs. Simon Canfield by morning light. Their courtship had been a joy, but she knew well that marriage was a whole new ballgame, and it left her feeling uneasy.With the sting of Anthony's betrayal still fresh, she c

"And now, let's welcome today's bride—Jessica!"The banquet hall doors parted slowly, a spotlight illuminating her path.To the grand strains of the wedding march, Jessica, bouquet in hand, made her way to Simon.Jessica was all dolled up for the second time in her life for a big event. The last time she had done that, she had ended up utterly humiliated.This time around, she was not exactly brimming with confidence about her chances for happiness either.Right then, she was seriously considering just turning tail and running.Up on the stage, Simon's hands were a bundle of nerves, his fingers twitching."Jess!"Down below, at her family's table, her parents were looking up at her, their eyes glistening with tears. Sharing the table were the Sullivans, her classmates, and her closest friends.They were all waving and calling out their congratulations, their voices a warm chorus.Jessica was rooted to the spot, overwhelmed, as tears streamed down her face.The emcee was abou