Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 214: A crippled husband can’t take care of you?

With the work she intended to do already completed by the man peacefully sleeping on the bed, Jessica saw no reason to linger around the hotel room when there were so many other things to do and the ticking clock doesn’t wait for anybody.

Slipping out quietly, she walked over to the balcony, taking in the morning view of Noveira—the city bustling with liveliness, the citizens hurrying through the morning rush. As the morning breeze caressed her face, she took in a deep breath, her thoughts spinning quickly with plans.

Slowly, she pulled out her phone and dialed Ethan. He picked up immediately. "Good morning, Ethan," she greeted softly as soon as the call connected.

On the other end, Ethan hesitated feeling conflicted about how to respond. His heart stammered in his chest. She was their lady boss, and he was just a subordinate with privilege.

Also, She isn’t just anyone—she was Jessica. Brilliant. Sharp. Unapproachable. How was he supposed to return her casual morning greeting? He exhaled, voice barely audible through the speaker, "Morning, ma’am."

Jessica’s lips tugged into a smile, amused by how nervous and burdened he felt just responding to her greeting, even though she had never felt awkward initiating it.

She could practically feel his discomfort over the phone, and somehow, that amused her. "Prospective brother-in-law, and you’re still stumped by a simple greeting?" she teased, her voice light.

She couldn’t help but imagine Ethan’s reddened ears, embarrassed face and eyes darting away if he were standing in front of her.

She had always told him not to feel burdened and uptight around her. It made her wonder if this was the same fearless Ethan who would’ve kicked her out the door if she ever harmed Davis.

"Madam, you know it’s not that easy," he finally said, his troubled voice filtering through the phone after a deep breath.

"Ethan, I have said this over and over again, can you treat me like a normal human?" She asked warily.

Ethan kept silent, he didn’t know how to reply to this request. Over the years, he had been quiet close to Davis yet in certain cases he had always treated him like his superior while in some it was casual.

But Jessica’s case is quiet different and complicated—she is the wife of his boss. "How can she request to be treated simply when he was supposed to hug her thigh?"

won’t tease you anymore," she said with a soft chuckle. "Can you send me the documents with names and contacts

Ethan replied, relaxing a little, waiting for further instructions. But Jessica’s

"How’s Bella?" she smirked.

audibly choking on nothing but the weight of the

his heart leap to his

was teasing him over the phone too—quite miserable. Gathering his thoughts quickly, he gave the safest response he could.

smiled to herself, not unkindly. "That should

her reasons—Ethan was beginning to treat her like some untouchable deity, she didn’t like it. Until he drops that attitude and sees her

She stood for awhile, her hand tightening over

all—the situation in Country Y and their trip

body seemed to adopt a new habit she didn’t like. "It seems I’m beginning to get

a deep breath, she turned back into the room. She needed to handle all the matters at hand

through the windows by the time she returned to the room. Quietly, she walked to the table, opened her laptop, and downloaded the document Ethan

their post-crisis situations and conduct a quiet survey on who was willing to return. One by one, she evaluated the names, mentally preparing to

necessary changes. By the time she was done, two hours had slipped away. Glancing at her wristwatch, she called

Davis stirred, groaning softly before sitting up. At the sound, she turned in her

"You’re awake?" she asked.

shifted from her to the laptop, then back to her.

asked,

at the sudden scowl on his face. "Angry?" She muttered more to herself. "Shouldn’t I be working?" She asked, searching his face for

his brow, sighing. He wanted to speak but didn’t want to sound harsh. His voice, when it came, was low and

I just..." He reached out

and uncertain, padded over to him like