Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 280: Is she our next matriarch?

Lady Matilda hugged Jessica again and again, as though her arms could pull back the time lost between them. Each embrace was tender, trembling, yet unrelenting—as though she feared Jessica might vanish the moment she let go.

"You must have suffered greatly... when she died," she murmured, her voice thinned by grief, her brows furrowed with the weight of heartache

Her grip tightened slightly, as if the words had reopened an old wound.

"How was she, my Nora?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion. "Did she live well? Or... did she suffer so much?"

The questions spilled out, unfiltered. For years, she had lived with them in the corners of her mind and in silence, these questions had lived and echoed within her yet she had never been able to answer them.

Has Nora eaten well?

Was she safe?

Who held her when she cried?

Who celebrated her when she succeeded?

Every time Lady Matilda had sat before the elaborate meals served by Santiago’s elite chefs, her heart would twist. Did her daughter dine with dignity—or simply survive?

Eventually, her uncertainty had pushed her into a life of charity and almsgiving. It was the only way she knew to atone for her helplessness.

She gave with one hope, one prayer: that somewhere, somehow, by feeding others, by giving warmth, hope, and comfort, some divine force would extend that grace to her daughter, wherever she might be and her daughter might find favor from above.

Now, looking at Jessica—Nora’s image reborn, strong, graceful, and whole. She felt that perhaps, her prayers had been answered, not for Nora, but for the legacy she left behind.

Jessica held the elderly woman with gentle firmness, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. She could feel Lady Matilda’s heartbeat, thudding softly against her own, and she wished she had the power to undo her mother’s pain.

Gently, she offered comforting words, painting a picture of a mother who had lived with dignity and grace despite life’s burdens.

"She lived beautifully... strong, Jessica said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "Step by step she pushed forward...day after day. Strong...Determined...never breaking, she never gave up."She concluded.

Still, a sting remained at the back of her throat. Behind those words was the memory of Nora’s pain—masked behind warm smiles, hidden behind late-night tears when she thought Jessica was asleep.

Jessica could still recall how her mother bore her suffering in silence, her heart heavy from a loveless marriage to George Brown.

Even as a child, Jessica had sensed it. Nora had stayed for her. Endured for her.

Now, the full weight of it settled on her chest like iron.

Jessica clenched her fists slightly. Her heart ached, her breath caught in her chest. "No matter the cost," she resolved silently, "George and that woman must pay for all she endured."

soft knock

gently, "the table is

Matilda composed herself, brushing a trembling

she said, turning to Jessica with a look of apology. "But I thought it right they

faint, reassuring smile. "It’s fine. It’s

deepened the pride in her heart. she couldn’t help feeling immense

Jessica’s cheek briefly,then led the way down the grand

them in opulent glory and they entered the grand dining hall

and

were members of the Santiago family—well-dressed, sharp-eyed, and whispering amongst themselves.

of the table and took her seat with regal grace, motioning for Jessica to stand beside her. Then, with

you know there has always been a quiet absence in our family, an empty space

of unease

lifting Jessica’s hand into hers, her voice calm but commanding. "her daughter is here now. Her name is Jessica Brown, she is our granddaughter, so in this house and

ran through the table. Some gasped. Some exchanged knowing glances. Others stiffened, their eyes

Lady Matilda continued with

belongs here. And moving forward, I expect her

in the room

rose to his feet, crossing the room in a few

relief and sincerity. He never expected the situation

a pain tugged at his heart, he wished he had seen

others followed—some with genuine warmth, others out of obligation. But

stiffly, their eyes narrowed, some masks

A few, however, stared at

all—the envy, the

and casting a fleeting glance at Jessica, noting her composure, grace and poise gave her a thumbs up in her

gently patted the

"Jessica, sit here."

seat—next to the matriarch—was symbolic. Reserved for the heir. It hadn’t been filled since Lord

Jessica had been placed

room. Expressions darkened. The

sat at the table signified their rank in the family. For Lady Matilda to place Jessica at her right hand... it

realization passed through the family. She’s being positioned as the

amongst them as a

she our next

offered a composed smile and sat down gracefully, but inside her "So... I’ve just earned enemies I haven’t even met yet." Jessica thoughts sharpened. "I must thread