Jessica knew early on that she would face difficulties in her relationship with James, primarily from his possessive mother, Evelyn. Evelyn attacked her from the first encounter, held on to James, and frequently crossed lines, from unexpected visits to critical texts. She gave a speech at their wedding, portraying Jessica as a thief who “took” her son, while wearing a bridal gown.

Even with Evelyn’s constant manipulation, Jessica and James were able to establish a loving relationship. James’s infertility led them to use a sperm donor to conceive their daughter, Willa, a decision they made discreetly and purposefully. Evelyn made subtle remarks casting doubt on Willa’s paternity and continued to be dubious of her appearance.

During a Father’s Day visit, Evelyn lost it, accusing Jessica of infidelity and asserting that she had evidence that Willa wasn’t James’s daughter. When Jessica’s mother calmly broke the news that Willa was conceived with a donor and James was aware of it from the beginning, the room fell silent. Because of her prejudice against bloodlines, Evelyn was never informed.

James came back in time to make sure of it all. He refused to back down, telling Evelyn that he shielded his family from her conditional view of love. She responded by remaining silent, then abruptly leaving the family and becoming estranged from them.

It was painful at first, but Jessica knew they had lost someone who had made the decision to go. James, Jessica, and Joan were among the people who stayed, while Willa grew up in a loving, nurturing home. Willa will eventually hear the whole truth from Jessica, who will stress that true love is always the kind that endures rather than being biological.