A Song of Longing

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?"