Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 272: Dinner date...

Jessica stood for a while outside the hospital ward, her thoughts spiraling as countless memories from the past surfaced and tangled within her mind.

Her arms hung loosely by her sides, her eyes closed, brow furrowed in deep contemplation.

Inside the ward, Davis waited patiently, expecting her to return any minute. When several minutes passed without her return, he turned toward his grandfather.

"Grandpa, all things being equal, we’ll be leaving now. We’ll visit again soon," Davis said, his voice steady but faintly tired.

The old man nodded slowly, a weary smile forming on his lips. He was grateful—immensely grateful—that after all the rumors and assumptions of their deaths following the accident, they had returned alive and together.

Still, a part of him sensed something more. Davis and Jessica had never fully explained what happened. Even when he asked, Davis would only say, "That’s in the past."

When Elder Allen turned his gaze toward Jessica, expecting her to say something—perhaps explain how or what prompted their disappearance she only sighed softly and said with a gentle firmness, "Grandpa, your health comes first."

Her words were calm and measured, but they carried enough weight to silence any further questioning.

The old man stared at her for a moment, trying to read deeper into her expression, but her face gave nothing away. Still, something tugged at the back of his mind.

As shrewd a businessman as he had been all his life, he knew when something wasn’t entirely transparent.

And now, that instinct stirred again. He sensed there was more than what they were willing to share—more that hadn’t been said.

But rather than press them further, Elder Allen leaned back against his pillow and released a slow, reflective breath. "Well," he began, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips, "you both take care of yourselves."

He shifted slightly in the bed and glanced at the IV attached to his hand, then at the monitors nearby.

"To be honest," he continued, his voice firmer, "I think I’ve totally healed. And if that’s the case, maybe it’s time to put my discharge on the table for serious consideration."

Davis raised a brow. "Discharge already?"

Elder Allen nodded with quiet resolve. "Yes. Lying here does nothing for me. My mind is sharp, and my body is no longer frail. I need to get back on my feet—see the world outside this hospital. There are decisions to make, and some things I must personally oversee."

Davis took a deep breath. "Grandpa, recovery isn’t just about how you feel. The doctors—"

"I’ll let the doctors speak," Elder Allen interrupted gently. "But I know my body. And my spirit. And I believe I’ve rested long enough."

There was a moment of silence as his words settled between them. He is not just keen on leaving the hospital; he was signaling his intent to return to and oversee several situation.

Davis nodded slowly. "Alright, Grandpa. If that’s what you want, we’ll speak to the doctor. But only if they confirm you’re ready."

will certify me healthy." He

as though he was the doctor, Davis smiled lightly "We’ll make the necessary arrangements.

"I will," he chuckled.

and with one last glance at

himself into the hallway, the door to the ward clicked softly shut behind

stationed outside greeted him respectfully, and he gave a subtle nod, his sharp gaze scanning the corridor to locate

soon found her, leaning against the cream-colored wall, her face pale and eyes closed. Her

wheeled over to her. "Babe, what’s wrong? Are

The warmth in his eyes made her chest

"Nothing," she murmured.

"Then why do you look so drained? Didn’t you just step out to answer a

say more, Davis gently took her hand and reached for the phone in her other hand.

Santiagos?" he asked, raising a

with the Santiago family. She had promised to visit

you scheduled the meeting with them? Why are

her head. "No. I was thinking... maybe you should

her

he said after a moment. "Why not go tomorrow? There’s no

slightly, her lips parting.

"Why do you think it is rushed? You have been hesitant and skeptical for a long time

breath. She didn’t know why but then "Are you sure about this?" She muttered seeking for

answers for a long time. If this is a step toward finding

to the Santiagos, confirming she would come over for dinner the next day and requesting they send

pressed send, a visible weight seemed to lift from her shoulders. Her posture

we head home," Davis said quietly. "Maybe return to

had been relatively quiet, the news

and their

debated whether he would ever

waiting with

the elevator. As they reached the

brow furrowed. "What’s wrong?" he asked, his

with our departure," she murmured,

button for the first floor, and as

they reached the first floor, Jessica pushed him calmly through the quiet hallway until they arrived at a more discreet elevator tucked

elevator is this?" he