A Song of Longing

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."