Chapter 3
The next day, after finishing arrangements for the celebration banquet in three days, Jessica found herself with some spare time. She decided to visit the Smith Mansion.
Elizabeth had just woken from her afternoon nap and was having tea. Her face lit up when she saw Jessica arrive.
"My dear child, you don't need to keep visiting when you're so busy with work." Elizabeth's face was kind, her eyes sharp and alert as she looked at Jessica. "I saw the news the other day. Why is Stanley tangled up with Lydia Moore again? He has a perfectly legitimate wife at home, yet he keeps running around with those questionable women!"
Jessica lowered her gaze, her voice quiet and dejected. "Grandma, there's been some misunderstanding. It's not what you think..."
"Nonsense!" Elizabeth's voice suddenly turned stern. "Don't you start covering for that rascal Stanley! How many foolish things has he done since childhood, and haven't you been the one cleaning up after him every time? This mess—you're the one who fixed it for him, aren't you?"
"Grandma." Jessica took a deep breath, pushing down the turmoil in her heart. She looked up. "Please don't talk about Stanley like that. You said it yourself—I'm his wife. As his wife, I trust him."
Elizabeth gave a soft snort. "You're a child the Smiths raised. Of course you're first-rate. That boy Stanley—he's good at everything except judging character. How can he not see that all those flashy women out there are nothing but trouble!"
Jessica's heart ached, but she said nothing.
Elizabeth sighed, reaching out to stroke Jessica's head affectionately. "I know you've suffered a lot these years. That boy used to treat you so well. How did things end up like this..."
She sighed again, lost in memory. "I still remember when you first started high school. You were so introverted, and those bullies made your life miserable. Every day you came home looking so unhappy. Stanley was busy then—he'd been drinking at business dinners and ended up hospitalized with a perforated ulcer. But the moment he heard you were being bullied, he yanked out his IV and rushed straight to your school. He dealt with every single one of those kids who hurt you, then personally helped you pick out a better school and arranged your transfer. He was so focused on taking care of you that he neglected his own recovery. His hospital stay got extended, and he even missed flying abroad to sign a multi-million-dollar contract. He lost millions because of you."
Jessica sat quietly, listening in silence. The more beautiful the memories, the deeper they cut now.
Elizabeth continued reminiscing. "When you hurt your arm in gym class, he chartered a private jet to bring back the country's top orthopedic surgeon. Oh, the things he did for you—I could go on forever."
Jessica's thoughts swirled, her heart heavy with bitterness. After a long silence, she said softly, "Stanley has been good to me since I was little. His kindness is as weighty as a mountain. I should repay him properly."
But Stanley stood at the pinnacle of society. He had everything. What could she possibly give him in return?
Suddenly, she thought of Lydia.
If Stanley's happiness lay elsewhere, then perhaps the only thing she could do was step aside—give him the happiness he wanted.
Despite the reluctance, despite the heartache, Jessica's resolve had never been stronger.
If her love had become Stanley's burden, then it was better to let it go.
Perhaps, for Stanley, the best way Jessica could repay him was to help him find happiness with Lydia.
After dinner with Elizabeth, Jessica returned to the villa.
Stanley still wasn't home.
The silent house made even her footsteps sound jarringly loud.
This villa would soon welcome its new mistress. And Jessica had made up her mind to leave. She wouldn't wallow in self-pity anymore. As soon as she got home, she went straight to her room and began packing.
Over the past dozen years, Stanley had given her countless gifts—jewelry, designer clothes, luxury items beyond counting. Jessica carefully packed them all away.
Finally, she sat at her desk and picked up a framed certificate.
It was a certificate naming a minor planet after her—Stanley's gift on her 18th birthday.
That planet had witnessed Stanley's final act of affection toward her. It was also a witness to her disastrous confession.
Jessica stared at the certificate for a long, long time. At last, she logged onto the planetary naming registry and contacted the organization that had originally processed the naming. She transferred the naming rights back and put the planet up for sale.
The webpage refreshed. A single word appeared: Newborns.
