Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 7: 7 The world won't wait for you

~Davis Mansion~

It's been a few weeks since Davis return to the mansion but the ones peaceful and happy home had transformed into a home of fear where everyone had to thread cautiously. In the kitchen, a group of maids huddled together, their whispers filled with unease. Their faces apprehensive with anxiety etched into their expressions, as they spoke in hushed tones about the unpredictable temper of their boss that could flare into violence in an instant.

"Did you see him today? He threw a glass at the wall when the gardener asked about the new flowers," one said, her voice trembling.

"He's terrifying," another whispered. "I heard he shouted at Henry again this morning."

"He wasn't like this before the accident," the cook said softly, glancing toward the study. "He's hurting."

"That doesn't mean we're not," the first maid muttered.

"He should at least consider that his situation isn't our making", another chimed.

Ethan standing at the door was furious "Are you ready to leave?", he asked with his tone icy. The maids were startled and quietly bowed their heads in submission. "We are sorry sir", they echoed.

Ethan issued a stern before he turned on his heel towards the study —Davis sanctuary since his return.

It's been weeks since Davis returned to this home but he has become an unrecognizable man from who he had once been. He had transformed into someone irritable and bitter. His frustrations boiled all over erupting unpredictably as it creates a tense atmosphere that seeped into every corner of the house.

Despite the exquisite furnishings and serene environment, the house now feels more depressing than ever. Every member of the house avoids Davis as plague while they ensure to work with little or no noise to attract his attention and avoid his fury and will occasionally gather in the kitchen to talk about the day.

Even Henry, his butler had learnt to avoid situations that will implicate him further and will always go through Ethan who is more of their saviour to pass across information or request for instructions.

Davis sat in his study, an empty glass on the desk in front of him as he gaze into the blank void oblivious of his surroundings.

without knocking, a folder in hand. "You missed a call from Elder Allen. He

what he wants!" Davis snapped, his voice sharp

"You can't keep ignoring him, Davis. You still have to acknowledge him and make use

he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What influence? Look around, Ethan. I'm a cripple sitting in a house that feels more like a tomb than a home discarded by my family like yesterday's trash, and you're telling me

to serve his meal cleared his throat from

down on the desk. "All of you, just leave me alone!" His voice

who nodded subtly. The butler stepped back

folded his arms across his chest as , leaned against the wall. "You don't scare me, you know. You can shout, throw things, and lock yourself in this mansion

almost a whisper. His expression softened briefly, revealing the exhaustion behind his anger. "Why are you still here, Ethan? Everyone else

the others, I don't turn my back on people when they're at their lowest, that doesn't mean I

bitter laugh, shaking his head. "Friend? That's generous. I'm a broken man that needs a

his shoulders nonchalantly. "Then maybe it's time you stopped wallowing

"Fight for what? When there's nothing left

fixed his gaze on him and in a steady voice "Then find something. Because

for a long moment, the tension thick. Davis finally looked away, his expression a mix

have given him a choice to fight back was his fiancee but then it is impossible. She has

Aaron... all of them.

didn't waver from the distance he is staring at. "It's not handing over when everything is

frustration glaring. He had tried talking to Davis severally but at the end of the day, he will ignore it. Severally he had tried to make him see reasons but he is stuck in the past. "You were Davis Allen, the man people feared and respected. Now you're—" He hesitated, biting back the words, to

"Go ahead. Say it. I'm

glowing "You're acting like nothing because you've convinced yourself you've lost. But you haven't. Desmond may think he's won, but he hasn't buried you yet —or has

"You don't get it, Ethan. Do you know how humiliating it is to be written out of

shook his head, his jaw tightening. "No, I don't. But I know that sitting here wallowing