Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 192: Do you love this family?

~Jessica’s Mansion~

Jessica was deep in concentration, her expression was serious, her brows slightly furrowed in thought as she carefully sketched out her latest designs in the quiet of her design room.

The pencil dancing across the paper of her sketchbook as she adjusted lines and shapes, refining every little and fine detail meticulously.

A soft knock broke the silence, as it echoed gently through the room. Jessica didn’t look up. She paused briefly but continued working, her voice calm but slightly impatient. "Yes? What’s the problem?"

She assumed it was one of the maids. Her guess was right. A gentle voice spoke from the other side of the door, "Ma’am, Mr. Damon is here to see you."

Jessica’s hand stilled. Her pencil hovered above the paper. Her brows knit together in confusion. "Damon? Where is he?" Her voice contemplative.

"Downstairs, ma’am," came the quiet reply.

Jessica blinked and looked toward the door, her mind racing. "Downstairs? Isn’t he supposed to be at the Allen house?" she muttered under her breath. "I will be there shortly." She said.

She sighed and leaned back in her chair, dropping the pencil on the table. Picking up her phone, she dialed Davis’s number. It rang a few times, and he answered. His sonorus voice filtering through the speaker "Missing me already." He smirked.

She quicky gave a shallow reason of calling before ending the call. She had only wanted to check in on him because of Damon’s presence.

She wanted to check if it had anything to with him but sensing he was in the mood for a joke and casual chat, she ended the call after a few words.

After ending the call she locked her phone, rose from her chair and made her way to the sitting room.

When she entered the living room, she found Damon sitting tensely on the couch, his back straight, his expression uneasy. The moment their eyes met, he gave a curt nod in greeting. Jessica returned the gesture as she moved closer and sat on the opposite couch.

"What’s going on? Why are you here?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Her heart pounded a little faster. Something wasn’t right. She always feared for the Old Man’s safety, especially leaving him alone with Alfred, even though the butler was trustworthy. But still, Desmond’s recent restlessness worried her.

A maid stepped in quietly and placed a tray with two glasses of freshly squeezed juice on the table between them, then silently retreated.

breath and finally spoke. "The Old Man was in his study when Desmond came. They had a brief argument,

eyes widened. "They

know Elder Allen doesn’t

now, but firm.

not great. He’s been weaker than usual," Damon

been purposely keeping her distance from Elder Allen to protect him. Her encrypted messages were her only way of staying in touch, of ensuring he

to let him worry but it seems he still worried. It broke her heart that he was still worrying about her and Davis when her own family didn’t care if she was alive or dead but had only thought of ways to get some benefits

away the burn behind her eyes. Bitterness welled up in her chest. How could someone who wasn’t even related to

asked, trying

Even though the Old Man was taken to

me that while Elder Allen is in critical

into fists.

then a fleeting though crossed her mind. "Desmond can’t stay at home without a purpose, what is he trying

"

"

"

~Allen family house~

in the driveway, his expression blank as

mask was attached to him

unreadable look. "Maybe letting him die will be better," he muttered to himself. "He keeps standing in my

walked back into the mansion. He moved with no urgency, his steps light, almost careless. While several thoughts swirled

the door. It was wide open. Desmond paused in front of it briefly, a strange mixture of emotion passing over his

coming into this study as a boy. The study had changed a little over the years, but the layout and decorations remained largely the same. Elder Allen had always been sentimental. He had insisted

quietly stepped inside. Not actually sure what

mind. A scene he remembered quiet well, he was just three years then. He had answered then without hesitation.

now. He couldn’t help contemplating if he had answered correctly

the room,

well signing that contract at such a young age. You’ll do great things

reward for his

his brother had to be in