Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 153: Is it fate?

With the issue of Bella’s identity finally solved, Jessica felt as though a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

All the emotions she had bottled up throughout the day—the confusion, the anxiety, the fear of things falling apart were slowly beginning to fade.

Her heart, once torn between duty and doubt, was now piecing itself back together.

She had been scared, truly scared, that uncovering the truth might break their already fragile bonds, bring regrets.

At some point she felt that may be she had been too reckless to take such decision without confiding in Davis or her most trusted friend and aide Richard.

But then seeing the effect, she was glad it had brought healing and became a pointer to the way forward.

And though none of them could say what tomorrow would bring—whether it would be calm or chaos—they had tonight to live as one family.

Tonight, they were a family, even if only beginning to understand what that meant. A slow bond was forming. And that was enough... for now.

With a quiet sigh of relief, Jessica turned and made her way to the kitchen. She wanted to check on the chef in charge of the dinner, though she had placed the most capable chef in charge she still have to check to see if dinner was finally ready and being served. This family dinner she hope will be a memorable one in time to come.

After all, she had planned it—not just the food, but the timing, the setting, the purpose behind this shared meal. It wasn’t just dinner. It was closure as well as a beginning of tomorrow.

She smiled bitterly as the word "family" coursed through her thoughts.

"It seems I never experienced this much peace in the Brown family since the time I could recall. It seems I will have to tap into the blessing of the family I have now to fill my longing of a loving family." She mused.

Minutes passed, and soon the rest of the household began to gather in the grand dining room. As per their silent tradition, each person slowly and silently found their seat.

No one needed to be told where to sit—this home had always functioned that way.

Davis was wheeled in gently by Bella, her hands careful on the handles of his chair as she followed behind Elliot.

his seat at the head of the table, dignified but clearly still overwhelmed by the earlier reunion. The weight of emotion clung to him,

during their discussion but didn’t go over exchanged greetings with each of them

as a cover up felt happy at his glowing form, his

was missing. He looked

his head to Bella, he gave her a small nod. "Go ahead," he said. "I’ll be

dining room. He hadn’t made it far when a maid exited the kitchen, carrying a

is she?" he asked, his voice cold and direct. The maid visibly flinched at the sound of his voice.

word, Davis turned his wheels and headed for the

the doorframe.

focused as she gave instructions to the remaining staff. One by one, she was checking the trays, making sure every dish was placed in the right order and properly

isn’t a fan of sea food but

hair pulled into a low bun, a few strands falling out, framing her face in the soft kitchen light. Despite the other people moving around

before he even realized it. Seeing her like this—calm, capable, quietly commanding always made

the door. Mistaking the reason for his gaze, she gave him a coy, sultry smile and subtly spun around, swaying her hips slightly trying to catch his attention—but

seen her at all. His gaze never moved from Jessica. And then, she turned. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe she felt the his

eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You," she breathed. "What are you doing here?" Of all the places she expected, she did not expect him in

the maids. "You can go," she said softly. One by one, the staff filed out of the

toward him with curious eyes. "Why aren’t

anything else, Davis reached forward and

toward him. His hand slid around her waist, holding her close as

closed door. Her heart pounded in

up at her with a teasing smirk. Seeing her flustered

murmured, eyes glinting with playful mischief. "I haven’t been given

failed her as she couldn’t find the right words to express herself. Davis leaned his head slightly. "Haven’t I been patient enough?"

shameless," she muttered under her breath. Davis

a blush rise to her cheeks. "Whose fault you