Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 173: Life isn’t fair...

"Do you know he’s adopted?" Bella asked in a low voice, almost a whisper.

Jessica blinked at her in surprise, clearly caught off guard.

She had to admit—when it came to Ethan, she hadn’t done much digging. With all her other subordinates, she always asked questions, getting to know their backgrounds and where they came from.

But with Ethan, she’d kept a bit of distance. After all, he was Davis’s personal assistant. Asking too much might look like she was crossing a line, and she didn’t want to come across as an overbearing boss.

Still, during the one year she’d been around him, she treated him with respect. In fact, Davis had only been able to manage things during his early recovery because Ethan was there.

Ethan had looked for medical help, arranged therapy, and even contacted psychological counselors to help Davis through the worst days.

He had always come across as loyal and trustworthy. Jessica had never once suspected anything unusual about him.

"Did he tell you about himself?" she asked after regaining her composure. Her eyes remained fixed on Bella.

Bella wasn’t just a friend or sister-in-law—she was family. If she was asking questions about Ethan, it likely meant she cared. And if Jessica wasn’t mistaken, she was even worried about his background.

Bella had lost her family in the past, and she still carried that trauma.

"He told me a little," Bella said quietly. "But only about his adoptive parents. He doesn’t seem to know anything about his biological parents. He couldn’t explain anything about his past."

Jessica let out a soft sigh. She got up and walked over to Matilda’s bed, checking her vitals. Once she was sure everything was stable, she returned to her seat.

"Bella, can I ask you something honestly?" Jessica’s eyes locked on Bella’s face. "Are you in love with him?"

Bella choked on her own spit and quickly looked away, avoiding Jessica’s gaze.

That was all the answer Jessica needed. Bella’s concern made sense now. She wasn’t just being curious—she was emotionally involved.

Jessica leaned back slightly. "Seems like we’ve got some work to do."

She continued, her tone gentle. "Bella, life isn’t fair. Opportunities aren’t equal. Ethan didn’t choose the life he was born into. The best thing you can do is accept him for who he is now—not where he came from."

As painful as it is not to know your origins, having a place to call home is still something. And just like Davis was able to reconnect with his long-lost sister, maybe life might offer Ethan a similar path one day.

Bella stayed silent, but her face still held worry. Jessica noticed and came to a decision.

"Ethan’s situation must be worse than I imagined."

Then she asked, "Is there anything else I should know?" Her brow lifted in question.

Bella hesitated but eventually nodded. "His adoptive family doesn’t treat him well. They only see him as a source of income. He’s constantly insulted and abused... like he doesn’t even matter."

Jessica froze. She had always seen Ethan as calm and well put together. Never would she have guessed he was going through such pain.

then again, she had never

And how did

a bit of it... but he doesn’t know

She started explaining:

a low profile during a sensitive assignment, and Bella had been

something strange. He was restless, pacing back and forth in the living

dizzy," she finally said, watching him move like

and quickly came to her

okay?" he asked, his voice shaky. There was a look of fear in his

are you so anxious?

his answer hit her like

parents want me to come home," he

was

big deal," Bella said casually. "If it’s that

He realized she hadn’t grasped

thing you

he didn’t push back when Bella insisted on going with

to his adoptive family’s house in the suburbs. The ride was calm, filled with random chatter that helped ease Ethan’s tension—at least

house, Ethan grew quiet. When they finally parked,

something strange

worried?" she

said something that

you wait in the car? No matter what happens, don’t

going into your own home

walked into the house, she couldn’t help but follow. She paused just

"

"

"

Warner’s Sitting

her arms across her chest and

the way

tightly together, his jaw clenched. He didn’t want to argue with them today. Bella

the arm of the

like a statue! Where’s the money from

of work for sometime now due to

Mrs. Warner scoffed. "And you

lowered his head. "I am staying with a

money" she snapped, her voice rising. "Linda needs new books, and Sunny’s tuition is due! What are they supposed

to stay calm. "I send money

at Ethan. "Trying doesn’t pay bills, boy! You live in a fine place, wear fine suits, drive big cars, and here we are,

replied, his voice low but steady. "You did it for

SLAP!