She thought James was about to kiss her.
Jessica could feel his body reacting; his hard-on pressed against her, making her breath quicken.
Maybe James did have feelings for her.
Just as she was getting emotional, James suddenly let go, took a deep breath, and pushed down all his desires.
"Jessica, you should go back," he said flatly, like he hadn't just been all over her.
Jessica felt super awkward. She didn't look at him and left, totally embarrassed.
Back in her room, her dad, John Evans, called.
"Dad, I'm sorry, but James probably won't come to Grandma's birthday party tomorrow," she said softly.
She knew she couldn't convince James.
John sighed heavily, "You two have been married for two years, and he hasn't set foot in our home even once. I said from the start we weren't a match for the Kelly family. If it weren't for your mother insisting..."
"Dad," Jessica cut him off, not wanting to hear anything bad about her mom, "I married him willingly!"
The next day.
Jessica had to go to her grandma's birthday party alone.
Even though she knew Grandma didn't like her, she still had to toast Mrs. Evans in front of all the guests.
Her stepmom, Joan White, said sarcastically, "Oh, Jessica, where's your husband? You've been married for two years, and we haven't even seen him."
Mrs. Evans, holding her wine glass, echoed, "Does he think our family is too poor? On such an important day, it seems my grandson-in-law really doesn't value me."
Her sister Pearl Evans chimed in, "Jessica, it's not that James doesn't value Grandma. I think he doesn't value you!"
Their mocking voices buzzed around Jessica like flies.
Feeling miserable, Jessica downed her glass of wine in one gulp.
But the wine hit her hard.
So hard that she lost consciousness.
Later, she completely passed out.
In the car, Joan and Pearl sat on either side of her.
"Mom, as long as we get Jessica to Mr. Garcia's bed, I'll get the role of the second female lead in his new movie!" Pearl said excitedly, her eyes gleaming.
Joan, like a thief, cautioned, "This must not be known to your dad. Otherwise, with his love for that brat Jessica, he would kill us both."
Pearl said, "I know, I've already confirmed the room with Mr. Garcia, the presidential suite on the top floor of the Skyline Club."
Joan smiled darkly, "What does Jessica have that she could marry into the Kelly family? It's just because her mother helped Mr. Kelly with a successful surgery back then and insisted on entrusting her daughter to him before she died. In the end, it's all about seeking power and influence. Truly shameless!"
Pearl quickly agreed, "Exactly! If anyone should marry him, it should be me. How am I any worse than her?"
Joan gritted her teeth and said, "Tonight, we'll ruin her completely!"
The sleeping pills Joan and Pearl put in the wine weren't much.
When Jessica felt the man's heavy breathing and the heat from his body, she immediately woke up.
She yelled, "Let go of me!"
The room was dark, and she couldn't see the man's face. She could only struggle with all her might to push him away.
Because she knew the consequences would be disastrous.
Unfortunately, the man easily restrained her hands.
His warm lips were at her ear, and his voice was low and hoarse, "Be good."