Context: I did non-profit development/marketing for 4ish years and then went into the legal field, working as a paralegal for 2.5 years before moving onto a legal marketing role (marrying my 2 paths). However, the legal marketing role's law firm unceremoniously terminated me after a couple months without warning or opportunity to address their concerns. I spent every day after - including the day of - contacting every recruiter I knew and applying to every job I could. Three full months later, I got a temp job working for a small marketing agency, which was the most toxic environment I'd ever worked in. Even before the pandemic, the work environment sent me spiraling into the worst depression and anxiety I'd had in a decade.
I finally was able to get another job - the same legal marketing activities I did before but now at a different law firm. I really love the work I'm doing and the people I work with and for... but it's a temp job. Another person at my level who started on the same day is also a temp, as with the person at my level who's been there for over a year. I have no idea if the firm intends to make any of us permanent staff, let alone just me, but I still want that (and obviously would love my colleagues to also become perm if that's what they want). I've been told informally from one of the people above me that the "assessments" usually happen about 6 months after the start date - February for me.
All this time, however, I've been using the COBRA from the firm that fired me. It's WAY too expensive, though... and ends in April. The February timeline, if correct, gives me enough time for the firm to hire me perm and for me to hop onto their insurance plan.

I've also been approached via LinkedIn by 2 different recruiters offering up the opportunity to be submitted for direct-hire/perm roles at other firms where I'd be doing the same type of work I currently do. I haven't said yes to either recruiter, because I feel like I'm betraying this new law firm; I like them and the work, so why wouldn't I spend all my energy into being hired by THEM permanently (even if I don't have any certainty at the moment that they're even going to hire anyone permanently)??

BUT, on the other hand, I need insurance past April - for general mental health stuff, as well as 2 major surgeries I'll need in the next year or so. I have the option of hopping on my partner's plan if we get married, but that brings up all the other issues for me personally [of having to lie to my family and most friends (per my partner's request of privacy) since we plan to have a big wedding after the pandemic is over]. I also have the option of hopping on the staffing agency's plan, or one of the ones on the insurance marketplace... but, as you can maybe tell, I'm not great with too many important choices.

This is the first time in over a year that I've felt "secure" career-wise; even if they start not loving my work, they'll actually give me a chance to improve, and I know that from the same chat I had with the supervisor who told me about the assessments. Obviously even if I go through interviews and get an offer, I can still say no depending on my situation at the current law firm. But it just seems disingenuous to put out all the "I love this place and want to be hired permanently here" energy while simultaneously seeking other opportunities with benefits offerings available.

So, is it worth "sneaking around"?