Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 205: Is this my wife protecting her husband

Davis watched as Alex hurried toward the exit of the hotel lobby. It was clear he was in a rush, constantly checking his phone even while speaking with him. A smile creeping on his lips as he watched him go—Alex was always in a rush, always chasing the next deal, the next opportunity. He was the kind of person who could come and go in the blink of an eye.

"He came and left like the wind. That’s just how he is," Davis murmured quietly to himself, the words slipping out before he could stop them. There was no malice in his tone, just a quiet observation.

With Alex gone, Davis, Jessica, and Ethan continued toward the car. They had more important matters to attend to—there was no time to waste.

Ethan helped Davis into the car, and Jessica followed, sitting beside him. Ethan took the front seat next to the driver. The car slowly pulled out of the hotel driveway and merged onto the highway.

Throughout the drive, Davis remained silent, lost in his thoughts. His brows furrowed occasionally as he pondered the things waiting for him.

He had never expected that the first time he left the country in over a year, it would be to face old friends—friends who had once been like family. But now, he was a different person. The accident had changed him in ways that no one truly understood. His wheelchair was a constant reminder of that.

But it wasn’t the wheelchair that troubled him. It was the fact that he had to visit them, despite everything.

He had shut himself off from them for so long, not wanting their pity, not wanting their compassionate glances that made him feel like less of a person. Even now, as he thought he had healed, he still felt the sting of their potential judgment

Over the past year, Davis had cut ties with those friends. He didn’t want their pity or the way they stared at him like he was broken. Even now, when he thought he had healed, their presence still affected him.

He sighed again. "Maybe this is the right way forward," he muttered. If he truly wanted to reclaim his place in the business world, he couldn’t do it alone. He would need the help of those friends, even if it was hard to face them.

Jessica glanced at him. She could feel the weight in his heart, the way he struggled to make a decision. Seeing the troubled expression on his face

Without a word, she gently placed her hand over his. The simple gesture was enough to pull him from his thoughts. He looked at her hand resting on his, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. Her warmth seeped into him, and the tension in his shoulders eased just slightly.

"You don’t have to carry this burden," she said softly. "Whatever they say or think, it doesn’t define you."

Her touch and words brought warmth to him. He glanced down at her hand on his, feeling the comfort it brought. He had never been the type to show his vulnerabilities easily, but with Jessica, it was different. She seemed to understand him without needing words.

just... worried," he confessed. There was no need to hide. Jessica always seemed to understand him even when he didn’t

no need to be. True friends will accept you, no matter what. And if we’re talking business, then this is the perfect

Jessica was right, he realized. If he truly wanted to regain his place in the business world, he would need those friends by his side.

meet meant a lot to him. Their bond seemed close—perhaps even like family—but had been abandoned, likely because Davis

guess you’re right," he

talked much about his past—about the friends he had left behind—but she could sense that it was still a

and uncertain of how to approach him. He had been cold, distant, almost as though he was lost in his own world. But there was something about him that drew her in.

have happened if he had reacted differently that day? If his anger had turned toward her, would she have survived the encounter? She quickly pushed the thought aside. She wasn’t sure she wanted to

much respect. If Davis had ordered anything, Ethan might have done something rash. She smiled to herself,

help smile widening. Davis had come a long way since then. He had changed. Maybe not entirely, but he had softened, opened up. And

broke through her thoughts. "What’s so funny?" he asked, his eyes

she had been lost in her thoughts. She smiled sheepishly. "I was just remembering how you were after the accident. And

raised an eyebrow. "Are you

laughed. "I’m just saying that you were a handful back then. And I’m sure if anything had gone wrong, Ethan would’ve

He still remembered those days

down and gain control of the situation so quickly, like she had planned

mouth can be too sharp sometimes. But that’s a memory I won’t forget. I should’ve taken a

people he had mistreated, Henry had taken the most damage. A sense of guilt settled on his

once complaining. In fact, Henry had only asked Ethan

said suddenly, "Increase Henry’s salary

both

say fifty percent?" Ethan asked

like half of his current salary

this some kind of bonus?" she asked, though she had a feeling it