The nanny got to work, collecting every photo album and frame, then stacking them on the lawn.

Jessica uncorked several bottles of Anthony's prized red wine, dousing the memories in scarlet.

She poured a glass for herself and one for the nanny.

Their glasses met with a hollow clink, the echo of a five-year love breaking apart.

Jessica flicked the lighter and tossed it into the heap, watching the past go up in flames.

Flickering flames cast a warm glow as Jessica tipped back her glass, the last of the wine mingling with the tears that traced a path down her cheeks.

The remnants of Anthony's affection lay scattered around her—designer bags, silk gowns, glittering jewels, all tokens of years gone by.

With a sense of finality, Jessica boxed up the luxury and posted it for sale on a second-hand site, directing the funds to an orphanage.

The news hit Anthony like a punch to the gut when his assistant called. "Mrs. Harris is selling everything you gave her."

He scrambled into his clothes, his face pale, his heart racing. He tried to reach her, but his calls echoed unanswered as he sped through the city streets, his car a blur of motion and red lights ignored.

The car barely stilled when he burst into the yard and found Jessica. There she was, lost in a sea of empty bottles, cradling a glass, her song a soft, sad murmur. Relief washed over Anthony as he knelt before her.

"Jess, why didn't you pick up? I was worried sick."

She turned, her gaze piercing. "Why would that worry you?"

He caressed her warm cheek. "I thought you were mad, hiding from me."

The alcohol lent her courage, and she asked the question that haunted her. "Anthony, are you keeping secrets from me?"

His heart plummeted. He looked away as a battle raged within. When he faced her again, his eyes were wide, his expression earnest. "No, never. We're in this together, open and true."

However, as Jessica's eyes drifted past him to the lifeless ashes beyond, the truth lay there, unspoken.

The last glimmer of hope in Jessica's heart was snuffed out when Anthony lied to her once more.

Anthony saw the scab on her palm and asked with concern, "Jess, what happened to your hand?"

She thought about blaming him but bit back the truth. "Oh! Just a dog bite."

Anthony fetched the first-aid kit and knelt to clean and wrap her wound. "You're always so reckless. I can't imagine how you'd manage without me," he said.

Jessica scoffed silently. She had once seen him as her protector from life's storms, but at this point, she knew he was the source of them.

"I heard you sold the gifts I gave you," he mentioned casually.

Jessica looked away. "They were getting old. I wanted something new."

Anthony tied off the bandage with extra care. "If you don't like them, just toss them. I'll get you better ones."

He stood and drew her close, his breath warm on her ear. "Jess, I'm planning a welcome party for Tracy on Monday."

When she did not reply, he pressed on. "You've always dreamed of stargazing in Omaraine, right? After the party, how about we go there, just the three of us?"

The peaks of Omaraine's Green Mountain soared over 2000 meters high, a perfect canvas for the stars.

It was Jessica's dream destination.

However, that dream felt hollow then, especially after the email she received yesterday from Brittania.

"Mrs. Sullivan, it's with deep regret that I must tell you, the observatory has confirmed your blue star is set to fall in three days."

The love once believed to be unbreakable was then scarred and battered.

Even the stars, once thought eternal, were on the brink of collapse.

Anthony released her from his arms. "If it doesn't make you happy, Jess, we don't have to go through with the welcome party..."

With her head cleared from the fog of alcohol, Jessica replied calmly, "What are you talking about? The welcome party is happening, and I'll take care of the arrangements myself."

A look of joy spread across Anthony's face as he embraced her once more.

"I'll do whatever you wish, Jess. And I've got a few more surprises up my sleeve for you."

Anthony had it all planned out. On that day, he would formally present her with their marriage certificate, making their union official in the eyes of the law.

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."

Anthony hurried back to the mansion and immediately sought out the nanny for news on Jessica's whereabouts.

"Mrs. Harris left early to pick up fresh flower arrangements," she informed him.

That news brought him a bit of comfort.

The welcome party was a sight to behold, with a life-sized portrait frame dominating the center of the room.

Just as Anthony moved to unveil it, the nanny intervened.

"Mrs. Harris said to wait until all the guests have arrived before revealing it."

Anthony stepped back, hand paused mid-air.

As guests trickled in, Anthony played the gracious host, too preoccupied to notice Jessica's absence.

The celebration kicked off, and Tracy made a grand entrance down the staircase in her princess gown, Anthony beaming with paternal pride.

Then, a sudden crash as the door swung open.

Linda stood there, stunning in a designer gown, capturing the attention of everyone present.

Anthony's expression darkened as he approached Linda.

In a hushed tone, he asked, "Wasn't I clear about you keeping a low profile?"

Linda looked at him innocently and replied, "But wasn't this the dress your assistant picked out for me?"

Anthony was lost in a fog of confusion, but he had no time to figure it out at this moment.

He cleared his throat. "Welcome, everyone. Now, let's turn our attention to today's star—Tracy Harris."

Hand in hand, Anthony led Tracy to the towering cake that awaited its ceremonial first slice.

That moment was meant to be shared by the foster parents and their daughter, but Jessica's place was glaringly vacant.

Where was Jessica?

"I'll take care of it."

Linda stepped up with elegance, accepting the knife handed to her by a servant.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"Isn't Mrs. Harris supposed to be someone else?"

"Who's this lady? She's dressed like she owns the place."

"Doesn't Harris's adopted kid look a lot like her?"

…

Anthony cut in quickly, "Ahem, thanks for stepping in, but I believe my wife should do the honors."

Linda's face flickered with something unreadable, and she shot Tracy a covert glance.

Tracy caught on immediately.

She clung to Linda's hand. "Dad, let Mom do it. Ms. Jessica isn't my real mom, after all."

Her words dropped like a bomb, short-circuiting Anthony's thoughts.

He clamped a hand over Tracy's mouth, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Who told you to say that? Jessica is your mother!"

In the next instant, he accidentally knocked down the cloth backdrop.

A huge photograph was suddenly on display for all to see.

The photograph captured Anthony and Linda in a state of disarray, their clothes askew and their skin slick with sweat.

Anthony's face drained of color as he lunged for the photo, desperate to cover up the scandalous scene.

Murmurs and hushed conversations spread among the guests like wildfire.

However, the damage was done. They had all seen the compromising image of the two main characters.

Linda stood petrified, unable to move.

Anthony's blood pounded in his ears, his head spinning with dizziness.

He fumbled for his phone and dialed Jessica, only to be met with the automated message that went, "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later..."

Panic set in. The welcome party was Jessica's doing, but did she orchestrate that revealing photo of him and Linda as well?

The thought of Jessica discovering his affair with Linda and the truth about Tracy's birth was unbearable.

The whispers of the guests grew into a cacophony of judgmental chatter.

"The Harris family prides themselves on their scholarly background, yet their son's marital indiscretions are the talk of the town."

"I knew there was a reason Anthony and his young wife adopted an orphan. It was his own flesh and blood all along."

"The wife's absence speaks volumes. She must've walked away from the Harris family debacle after uncovering the truth."