Sweat dotted Anthony's brow as he gestured toward Linda and explained, "Linda is an investor in this orphanage. I just bumped into her today."

"So? What's that got to do with adopting Tracy?" Jessica shot back.

Anthony scowled. "How could I not have seen it before? You're so aloof, so unfeeling. Tracy's a sweetheart. Doesn't she tug at your heartstrings?"

Aloof? Unfeeling?

She was the one betrayed, let down, and then she was the bad guy?

Linda stepped closer and smilingly took Jessica's hand. "Jess, Anthony told me you're adopting Tracy. That's wonderful news! Tracy is an angel, the sweetest kid we've got."

Jessica could not resist. "If Tracy's such a treasure, why don't you adopt her?"

Caught off-guard, Linda felt her smile waver.

Anthony jumped to her defense, positioning himself between them. "What are you implying? Linda is single. What would people think if she adopted a child on her own?"

Jessica's heart ached as if pierced by a thousand needles.

Anthony had empathy for Linda, but he seemed blind to the whispers that would swirl around Jessica if they adopted Tracy.

For five years of marriage, Anthony had kept her from getting pregnant, using his 'career in its rising phase' as an excuse.

The rumor mill churned relentlessly.

Some whispered that Jessica's wild youth and numerous abortions had left her barren. Others speculated she was infertile by nature.

Even her mother-in-law's barbs cut deep, mocking her as an 'infertile hen'.

Whenever Jessica poured out her heart, Anthony's answer was to shower her with luxury gifts, never once standing up to clear her name.

If he truly loved her, would he not speak out against the slander?

Adopting a child would only cement the rumors of her infertility, would it not?

Clutching at a final hope, Jessica trembled and said, "Anthony, don't you want a child of our own?"

Anthony's gaze fell. "Let's wait a few more years, okay? You know the company is expanding..."

"Fine, I'll follow your lead," Jessica cut him off.

Her heart had gone numb. She might as well go along with it.

Anthony wrapped her in a joyful hug, "Jess, I always knew you had the biggest heart."

As her hair brushed his ear, Jessica caught the envious glint in Linda's eye.

In that instant, she realized Linda was no longer satisfied being the unseen wife on a marriage certificate. She was after the title of Mrs. Harris for all to see.

A line from Alicia Keys' 'Try Again' suddenly played in Jessica's head.

'I could try again, however, I would rather let you go.'

She was ready to ditch that mess of a relationship. Who picked up the pieces was none of her business.

Anthony had gone off with the director to sort out some paperwork, leaving Jessica and Linda by the staircase.

"Jess, don't you think Tracy and Anthony could pass for father and daughter? To the untrained eye, they might as well be related."

Jessica caught the hint in Linda's voice. "Really? What a coincidence."

Linda pressed on, a sly tone in her voice. "And Tracy's mom, whoever she is, must be quite the looker."

She tossed her hair back, not-so-subtly showing off a love bite on her collarbone.

"Oops, my husband can be a bit eager. Does Anthony ever get like that with you?"

Jessica took a deep breath. "Ever heard of someone biting when they're pushed too far?"

Linda's expression changed, and she was about to retort when she caught sight of a figure at the corner.

"Well, let's see if they're just putting on a show or if they're actually capable of biting."

Before Jessica could process her words, Linda suddenly stumbled backward, away from the staircase.

"Ah!"

Linda's scream pierced the air.

Jessica's hand shot out, trying to catch her, but she only grazed Linda's sleeve, ripping off a button.

Anthony, rounding the corner at the sound, hurried over.

Linda was sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, and Jessica stood above, her hand still hanging in the air as if frozen in time.

Anthony shoved Jessica out of the way and bolted down to scoop up Linda.

"Linda, come on, open your eyes!"

Gripping Anthony's arm, Linda twisted her face in agony. "Anthony, don't be mad at Jess. She's just not Tracy's biggest fan. I tried to calm her down, and it set her off."

Her words trailed off as she slumped unconscious in his arms.

Anthony whipped around, his eyes burning holes into Jessica, who had been shoved to the ground.

"Jessica, you know I can't stand hypocrites."

He hoisted Linda in his arms, heading for the hospital. "You'd better hope Linda's okay, or forget about any old times."

As the car engine roared to life below, Jessica inspected her palm, gashed by the gravel.

Blood oozed out.

The orphanage director approached, hearing the commotion, and helped Jessica to her feet, words failing him.

Jessica pulled off her scarf and pressed it to her bleeding hand. "I've been volunteering here for years. I thought we were friends."

The lunch bell had the kids pouring out of the orphanage.

Watching Tracy skip and hop, the director mused, "Tracy's got a stroke of luck, bonding with Mr. Harris like they're family."

On her way home, Jessica finally dialed that number from her contacts, untouched for five long years.

It was answered after a single ring.

Simon Canfield's voice, smooth and alluring, drifted through the line. "Ms. Sullivan, to what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

Ignoring the bite in his tone, Jessica cut to the chase. "Simon, does our engagement still stand?"

Simon's laughter crackled through the phone. "You must be kidding, Ms. Sullivan. You're a married woman now. If you're looking for a boy toy, you've dialed the wrong number."

Unruffled, Jessica asked again, "Just tell me, is our engagement still on?"

Simon's voice turned intimate, pressing against the receiver. "Ms. Sullivan, are you proposing an affair?"

At her limit, Jessica snapped, "Let's pretend this call never happened."

She ended the call and pulled over to the side of the road.

A message from Linda popped up on her phone.

[Jessica, how does it feel to play house for five years?]

[Guess what Anthony is up to now?]

A GIF popped up on the screen.

There was Anthony, dressed to the nines, crouched down tying Linda's shoelaces. The cufflinks at his wrists were the ones Jessica had chosen for him.

Her palm, which had healed, bled anew as she clenched her phone.

The ringtone pierced the silence. It was Simon again.

"Ms. Sullivan, ever the firecracker. If you'd been a bit more observant, you might've noticed the marriage certificate was a fake from the start."

Simon was uncannily resourceful; he had uncovered in minutes what had eluded her for years.

Jessica's fingers clenched around her phone. "Mr. Canfield, I didn't come here for your snide remarks. I just want to ask..."

Simon's voice was a low rumble, cutting her off, "It's a done deal, always."

Jessica was lost. "What does that mean?"

Simon's face took on a rare solemnity. "It means our engagement stands. Whenever you're ready, I'm here to be your husband, Jessica."

She was silent for a long moment before responding.

"I've got things to wrap up in Capital City. Let's meet next Monday outside the Hudson City County Clerk's Office."

Simon's voice lightened as he teased, "Whoever chickens out is a scaredy-cat."

"Immature," retorted Jessica before ending the call.

That evening, after dinner, as Jessica was about to retreat to her bedroom, a commotion arose at the door.

Linda entered, linked arm in arm with Anthony, a trail of servants lugging suitcases behind them.

Anthony instructed the servants to take the luggage to the guest room, then turned to Jessica.

"Linda is back in town and hasn't found a place yet, so I told her she could crash here for a bit."

Linda arched an eyebrow. "I won't be here long, Mrs. Harris. You don't mind, right?"

Jessica kept her cool, "Not at all, Ms. Brown. Make yourself at home."

She would be out of there in three days anyway.

Anthony looked at her, taken aback, "You're not upset?"

Jessica shook her head with a hint of resignation. "I'll be moving out soon anyway."

Anthony blinked in surprise. "What do you mean by that?"

"Just rambling," Jessica dismissed with a wave of her hand.

Anthony sensed that something was not quite right with her, but before he could probe further, Linda chimed in.

"Anthony, weren't you going to take Tracy to the amusement park?" she asked, her voice and demeanor taking charge as if she owned the place.

Anthony seemed spellbound. "Right, I'll go get Tracy now."

He glanced at Jessica, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out.

Jessica, ever the understanding one, encouraged them, "Go ahead, think of it as a warm welcome for Tracy's return."

Linda looped her arm through Anthony's again. "Exactly, like a perfect little family."

Jessica caught the triumphant glint in Linda's eye but responded with a courteous smile before turning to leave.

The evening passed, and darkness enveloped the sky.

As Jessica was drifting off to sleep, voices floated in from outside her door.

It was Linda, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Anthony, stay with me tonight, won't you?"

His reply was soft yet unwavering, "Linda, Jess is my wife, even if just in name. She's here. It wouldn't be right."

"I'm the one on the marriage certificate, the real wife. It makes sense for you to be with me," Linda insisted.

In the quiet of her room, Jessica's fingers tensed, and she consciously slowed her breathing to calm the storm inside.

Anthony let out a long sigh, his voice tinged with resignation. "You're Tracy's mom. Just know I'll always do right by you."

Linda's voice was a whisper, choked with tears. "Can you promise me you won't touch her while I'm staying here?"

Anthony gave a low, affirming hum.

Soon after, the sound of a bedroom door echoed from next door.

Jessica's eyes fluttered open, and a silent smile played across her lips.

Three people, three rooms, each with their own hidden agendas.

Come morning, Jessica descended the stairs to find Anthony and Linda already at the breakfast table.

"You looked so peaceful sleeping, I didn't want to wake you," said Linda, her tone dripping with insinuation. It was as if she owned the place and Jessica was just passing through.

Anthony said nothing to set the record straight.

Jessica ignored the jab and took a seat.

Linda got up and handed her a bowl of mushroom walnut soup. "Try it, I made it myself."

One look and Jessica saw the walnuts lurking at the bottom. She had been allergic her whole life; one bite could be deadly.

"Sorry, I can't eat walnuts," said Jessica, pushing the bowl away.

Linda's face crumpled, tears welling up as she turned to Anthony.

"Maybe I should just leave, hit the streets. It's better than being unwanted."

With that, she rose to pack.

Anthony was at her side in an instant, his voice a soothing whisper.

Anthony turned to Jessica with a stern voice, "Jess, come on, drink up. Linda's been slaving away since dawn to make this."

Jessica stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You know I'm allergic to walnuts. Are you really asking me to risk my life just to spare her feelings?"