Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 220: Are you sure she is being kind?

Tricia’s hand tightened around her wine glass, her knuckles whitening with the pressure.

Her smile was fixed, yet inside, bitterness churned like a storm. She hadn’t reconciled with the result of this meeting—far from it.

The sight of Davis, clinging so closely to Jessica ever since they’d entered the room, left her reeling.

She remembered how it all began—how her friendship with Davis had blossomed over time.

He had always treated her with kindness, respect... but never affection. To her, he was the best man in the world, the only man who could match her dreams.

She’d dropped hints over the years, even boldly made advances, but Davis had never wavered in his polite rejection. Still, Tricia wasn’t one to give up easily.

Coming from one of the most prestigious families in Noveira, she’d always relied on her background to open doors.

And when she heard that Davis would be visiting, especially with his company struggling, she saw it as her golden opportunity.

She had hoped to swoop in, offer aid, and win his gratitude—perhaps even his heart. But now, standing across from him as he doted on another woman, she felt those hopes unravel.

Jessica.

The name echoed in her mind like a curse. That woman was ruining everything. Tricia watched, her jaw clenched, as Davis and Jessica whispered and smiled at each other, lost in their own world. Shameless, she thought. How dare she?

Determined to reclaim control, she cleared her throat, cutting through the room’s ambient chatter.

Jessica glanced at her with disinterest, a cold smirk curling her lips. Finally ready to make your move, she mused inwardly, sipping her wine.

"You see, Davis," Tricia said smoothly, her voice regaining its charm, "I’ve been thinking about everything you said. And since the company relaunch is happening next week, I was wondering if it’s not too late to be one of your esteemed investors."

She ended the statement with a thinly veiled challenge, her eyes locked with Jessica’s.

with feigned innocence and affection. "Hubby, isn’t Tricia so kind? I told you

smirk was anything but

trio’s interaction felt like watching a chess game—every move calculated,

a company from the ashes is no small feat. But

in agreement. The others

cheerful. "No old drinks for this toast. If we’re celebrating new beginnings,

he popped the cork with a satisfying pop, drawing applause from the room. Adah clapped with enthusiasm,

them high. "To new beginnings and new life,"

the words, each person repeating them with varied degrees of enthusiasm. Yet among them, Luke hesitated. He stared at the wine in his glass, his fingers tightening. He couldn’t drink it, but neither could he put

past haunted him—painful and

noticed his struggle. Though he’d been cold since their arrival, she sensed something deeper—a wounded heart nursing old grudges. She considered

later, Luke brought the glass to his lips and drank. Jessica

a figure stepped into her view. Tricia. "Davis," she said sweetly, "don’t you think I

smile. "Of

new beginnings," she said. They both sipped a bit from their drinks, and Tricia turned to walk away. But just as she moved,

"Watch your step, Tricia."

The room paused.

froze, stunned. Then she turned slowly, eyes wide. "Oh, thank you," she said

hand ’slipped.’ The glass tilted, and wine splashed down, some of it landing

body and dress, pulling back just in time. The wine splattered on the floor with a

my step" She set the glass hastily on the table and snatched a napkin, hurrying to

entire

something off. There was a strange energy between the

she said flatly, "was that really an

Tricia froze.

room and the distance between you and