Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 8: 8 ... nothing has changed

Jessica's return to the Brown family wasn't anything to be proud of. Looking at the house standing at the far distance like a fortress, her heart felt cold.

As the car drives into the wrought iron gate she couldn't help but wonder if she had made the right choice of honouring the invitation to return home. The car pulled to a stop, the Brown family butler stepped forward and pulled the car door open for Jessica "Welcome back Miss". He said his face indifferent. Jessica alighted the car with ease and a maid just came out to throw the yesterday's trash; on seeing her the maid blotted back into the house to announce her return yet no member of the family cared to come out of the house. It was as though they are all dead.

With heavy steps she climbed the few staircase to the foyer with the suitcase in her hand which nobody cared to take from her. She had thought her return will be something she did be proud of but now it seems that is not the case, she had always remained the unloved and abandoned daughter of the Brown family. As a matter of fact nothing has changed. This family had finally dashed her hope of seeing them as one.

The living room was deserted and nobody to acknowledge her arrival, she made her way to her bedroom. Her feet dragging on the staircase with trepidation with a push, the door creaked open revealing a room with a dusty smell that sent her coughing abruptly. Waving in the air to clear the musty scent, she stepped into the room. Standing at the middle of the room memories of her mother's tease and laughter made her choke with tears. This room now shrouded in coldness had once being filled with laughter and happy memories.

"Mom, I am back and this time I will make you proud", she muttered.

She walked to the window and pulled it open letting in the rays of sunlight to brighten the room. Without any hesitation, she began cleaning up the room. As she opened her wardrobe she found out the safe in her room had gone missing. The safe had contained her mother's belongings and some documents, her fist clenched.

She need not be told whose handwork it is but then she isn't bothered because she must reclaim all that is hers with not one bit left.

By the time she finished the cleaning and discarding the waste it was already evening.

Jessica sat down beside the window gazing at the flowers dancing in the garden—the daffodils, it has been her mother's favorite flower.

A raspy tap on the door brought her out of her reverie, she stood up and opened the door. The maid stood there waiting with a mocking smile on her face "Dinner is ready", she stated.

"Okay", Jessica replied her voice devoid of any emotion.

Dinner was set in a grand dining room with its design and furnishings to suit the taste and class of the Brown family. A long polished mahogany table with chairs set around it glistened under the light.

the arrangement, it was a clear display of a family of three. Jessica sitting down at the table made it odd since she couldn't pass as a member of the family.

laid out according to everyone's preference excluding Jessica preferences. As a matter of fact, the dishes before her

hope you will find the meal to your liking", Risa chimed sweetly as Jessica picked her cutlery making her hands

be to her liking as the meal at the countryside is sure different from here", Clara stated with a mocking care in her tone yet the sacarsm embedded in

the glint in her eyes

is clear she wasn't taken into consideration but then it is not surprising—she had never been counted as a member of the family and with Risa's

George cleared his throat to attract their

inquisitively. "I hope you had a good time with your grandma at the

how can a father be this heartless not to even care about his daughter's life or death for the past fifteen years but yet he is here asking

dad, I had a good time though I assume you might have wished me dead", she answered drawing

Jessica, he has always cared about you and was worried but as a busy man

as an answer but the years he had spent in the business world had shaped him that it

much expression on his face, he leaned forward with his arms stretched on the table and hands clasped together. His tone devoid of warmth and guilt "Well, it is always clear

head up searching his face for any clue of what he is insinuating but none. Yet, she had a feeling —not a good medicine

getting married

clatter, her gaze burning with fury as she clenched her fist

you serious—like you want me to marry Davis

it sound so foul—we are all family you know and Davis ... is okay", Risa

in the countryside for awhile and has been far from the elites. Your marriage to Davis will make way for that". Clara said with anger laced in her

the arrangement because it

plot for her to take the fall for the family, to serve as a chip for business alliance and be