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.

head resting on the headrest, jaw twitching, fingers tightly clasped together.

hadn’t noticed how angry he really was. Slowly, she leaned closer, examining his pursed lips. A flicker of amusement danced

jawline. She traced them with her eyes quietly. Her hand, acting on its own, reached out

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

quiet. He neither responded nor

sighed. He was indeed furious. She had dared to kiss him only because it was night, the car lit only by the passing

to return to her seat when Davis’s left hand suddenly clasped

to her— but no longer cold. A smirk

he nibbled her earlobe, his face nuzzling against her neck, sending electrifying waves through her. He trailed kisses across

gently nudged his shoulder, her limbs weakening, but his next words made her jolt upright—only for him

the side," he instructed the driver,

He wondered if this was a common

breath ragged as she struggled for control. The fire Davis had lit still burned through

take risks at this hour.

The driver was torn between their instructions. Sensing the man’s hesitation, Davis said,

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

a teasing smile, adjusting her in his

breath. "We can’t take any chances now. We don’t know what or who might be lurking around

exhaustion settle in again. She leaned into him slightly, after a

angry?" she asked softly. No matter

he suppressed his

mused aloud. "I haven’t accepted

the name bitter on his tongue. He had intended to settle the matter with her family himself, yet Jessica had

lesson: Don’t be merciful to your enemies. But if you must, make them your

to be their undoing—their pain,

deserved—and that’s where it ends. There were more important things to focus on. I couldn’t

wounded wrist. As far as she remembered, she hadn’t intended to hurt