Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 223: His new principle...

As they settled into the car, the soft hum of the engine revved, and with expertise, the driver pulled away from the club.

Jessica let out a quiet sigh of relief. Though she couldn’t bring herself to say it, she had been tense about the relaunch scheduled in just one week.

But this evening had been unexpectedly fruitful and amidst rest and play; they had secured a strong foothold for the relaunch— a strong leverage for the big return.

Yet, even with that success, she couldn’t help the ache in her chest, the gnawing question clawing at her mind;

Why had Davis, once a towering figure of ambition and control, allowed himself to fall so far? He had everything it took to rise again. He had the power, the mind, the reputation and the connection — why then had he relinquished his hold, allowing others to usurp what was rightfully his?

"You have great friends," she murmured, breaking the silence, her voice gentle.

No reply.

She frowned. That was unlike him. No matter how fatigued he might be, he always responded — with a smirk, a tease, or even a grunt. This silence was sharp, unnatural.

"Hubby?" she called softly, turning to look at him. The city’s golden lights filtered through the window, illuminating his profile.

His jaw was tight, clenched in barely restrained fury. His brows were drawn low, casting shadows across his closed eyes.

This expression of his screamed warning, setting alarm bells ringing in her head—he seemed angry. But why?

"Hubby?" she called tentatively, yet again no response.

Through the reflecting lights of the city, she gazed at his face.

Jessica’s mind raced with possibilities—is it because of her fall out with Tricia? Was he bothered by her exchanging contacts with Adah? Or had Luke said something during their conversation that unsettled him?

Yet, she dismissed them all. He wasn’t that petty. But her gut told her his anger stemmed from something that happened tonight—and she had a gut feeling she was involved.

She took a deep breath to calm her thoughts. With a contemplative frown, her gaze settled on Davis beside her, taking in every detail of his features.

tightly clasped together. Jessica could practically feel him

Slowly, she leaned closer, examining his pursed lips.

traced them with her eyes quietly. Her hand, acting on its own, reached out to trace the contours of his godlike

one elbow on the headrest, getting a clearer view of him. Slowly, she caught his lips

remained quiet. He neither responded

sighed. He was indeed furious. She had dared to kiss him only because it was night, the car lit only by the passing streetlights—yet she couldn’t forget

no response, she pulled away, intending to return to her seat when Davis’s left hand suddenly clasped her waist, and his right hand

hoarse yet enticing to her— but no longer cold. A smirk tugged at his lips. "Seems I haven’t been a good teacher. Or maybe we haven’t had

her. He trailed kisses across her

to stop, but her body betrayed her. She gently nudged his shoulder, her limbs weakening, but his

by the side," he instructed the driver, who nodded

beneath his skin. He wondered if this was a common scene for their personal driver and silently

It’s late. Drive back to the hotel," Jessica interjected, her breath ragged as she struggled for control. The fire Davis had

and she wouldn’t take risks at this

The driver was torn between their

couldn’t help pitying his poor, tormented life, then made a decision if he was going to be caught between these two again, better to make it quick. He pressed the accelerator harder. Like an arrow, the car surged forward to get to the hotel as quickly

a teasing smile, adjusting her in his

still trying to catch her breath. "We can’t take any chances now. We don’t know what or who might be lurking

leaned into him slightly, after a pause, she looked

matter how she thought about it—it didn’t

darkened again. Yet he suppressed his fury. "Don’t accept anyone’s apology because of me," he

aloud. "I haven’t accepted any apology," she

tongue. He had intended to settle the matter with her family himself, yet Jessica had quickly agreed to

cruel lesson: Don’t be merciful to your enemies. But if

now Davis’s anchor. He had promised to be their undoing—their

with understanding. "You know I didn’t let her go scot-free. She got what she deserved—and that’s where it ends. There were more important things

wounded wrist. As far as she remembered,