A Song of Longing

In their fifth year of marriage,Jessica went to renew their marriage certificate.

However, she was told that the certificate was fake, and her husband's legal wife was someone else.

The love that had seemed inseparable for five years turned out to be a lie.

When she returned home, she overheard Anthony, her husband, talking to his lawyer:

"Linda is building her career abroad, and to establish herself in the business world, she needs the title of Mrs. Harris. I have to help her."

"As for Jessica, she's completely devoted to me. She's already cut ties with her family for me, and she will never leave."

Hearing that, Jessica's heart turned to stone.

By the time Anthony brought back the real marriage certificate, Jessica had disappeared, and he was unable to find her again.

"Mrs. Sullivan, there's a problem with your marriage certificate. It appears the seal is a forgery," said the clerk with an unsettling nonchalance, leaving Jessica Sullivan, who had come to get a duplicate of her marriage certificate, completely bewildered.

"That's impossible. My husband Anthony Harris and I got married five years ago. Could you please double-check?"

The clerk typed their social security numbers into the computer once more.

"The system shows Anthony is married, but you, Mrs. Sullivan, are listed as single."

"Who is Anthony's legal wife?" Jessica asked, her voice shaking.

"Linda Brown."

Jessica gripped the back of the chair, struggling to keep herself upright.

The marriage certificate, with its bright cover and bold letters, was handed to her. The sight stung her eyes.

If Jessica had any doubts before, thinking perhaps it was a system glitch, the mention of 'Linda' crushed all her hopes.

The lavish wedding from five years ago, the years they spent seemingly inseparable, the marriage she had been so proud of—everything was a lie.

Holding the worthless piece of paper, Jessica walked back home, her spirit crushed.

As she was about to open the door, she overheard a conversation inside.

It was the Harris Group's family lawyer speaking, "Mr. Harris, it's been five years. Isn't it time to give your wife the legal status she deserves?"

Jessica stopped dead in her tracks, holding her breath.

After what felt like an eternity, Anthony's deep voice filled the air.

"Just hold on a little longer. Linda is out there making her mark overseas, and she needs to be Mrs. Harris to stand her ground among the business elite."

The family lawyer cautioned. "However, since you and the missus never made it official with a marriage certificate, she could walk out on you if she ever decides to."

Anthony's gaze fell as he mulled it over, then said, "Linda did give me a daughter. I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe.

"Jess? She's so in love with me, she wouldn't dream of leaving.

"Besides, she burned bridges with the Sullivan family to be with me. She's got nowhere else to go."

In the height of the August heat, Jessica felt a