Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 296: A husband shirking his duties

Deborah quietly stepped out of the room after the cleaning, her eyes meeting Davis’s in a silent exchange. Emotions and unspoken words flickered between them—concern, hope, understanding and curiosity.

As the door clicked shut, Davis turned back toward Jessica who was sitting quietly on the bed with her head resting on the headboard, her gaze lowered.

He gently took the tray from the bedside table and began to arrange the dishes on the bed with dedicated precision and calmness.

The food had been carefully prepared by Deborah, who had spent the better part of the evening in the kitchen. There was a wide range of dishes—white soup, plantain pudding, a bit of jollof rice, some grilled drumstick, and a light pasta dish, topping it up with freshly diced fruit salad.

She had to make the food slightly spicy. Everything was in small portions to make it easier for her to taste.

Deborah had noticed some changes in Jessica over the last few days since she rejoined her at Davis mansion. Her skin looked more radiant and glowing, her body slightly fuller and her subtle unconscious attitude of caressing her stomach.

Though Jessica hadn’t said anything, a mother always knows. Deborah had her suspicions, but chose to remain quiet, allowing Jessica her space and the choice to announce it when she wants.

What troubled Deborah more was seeing Jessica walk into danger earlier that evening. When the chaos broke out, she felt her heart leap in fear. The risk would have been a costly one.

After carefully setting out the meal, Davis sat by the edge of the bed and dipped the spoon into the steaming soup. He brought it up gently to Jessica’s lips.

She stared at him silently, making no move to open her mouth. Davis arched a brow, his tone soft and coaxing. "What’s wrong?"

But she had offered no response, just staring at him.

He reached out with his free hand, placing the back of his palm gently on her forehead. Her skin felt warm, but not alarmingly so. Still, concern flickered in his eyes.

"You don’t like the food?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Jessica shook her head slowly. "That’s not it."

"Then you need to eat," he said firmly. "You’ve already used up so much energy. You can’t just skip meals like this."

She let out a soft sigh, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can I sleep first?"

shook his head, his tone calm but

Still, she couldn’t

the glint in his eyes

prefer I show you?" He whispered with a wink, his

a deep shade of red. She quickly averted her gaze, staring at the far end of

even say anything yet. What if it was just a silly spoon plane

couldn’t wait for him to finish, unable to take any more, she snatched the spoon from his hand and began eating quickly with exaggerated

she could still feel the heat on her face betraying her calm facade and she didn’t trust herself

vibrated through

his gaze on her and no doubt it was warm, gentle and

sensual curve of his throat,

sent an unexpected jolt through her. Her breath caught. Heat spread rapidly through her chest and

the bedside table. Davis paused his laughter, noticing her sudden

she straddled him and gently pushed him

her lips close to his ear, her breath brushing his neck. "I changed my mind. What

smile, shifting slightly under her

propping himself up on one elbow to support his weight. With

an eyebrow. "Or

over his nose, then trailed down to

his neck, dipping to his throat. She let her fingers rest on his Adam’s apple, her gaze locked onto every feature of his

was confident, teasing. He

her. Calmly, she retracted her hand. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to

her arms around

the implication of what you’re doing, young lady?" he groaned against her cheek, desire

again. "Why don’t you tell me instead of asking?" she whispered, a challenging glint

earliest days of their marriage, Jessica had always been bold. She’d often taken the lead leaving him

control. But she leaned in and kissed

but she looped her arms around his

pulled away, his gaze gentle and warm. His hand moved down to rest protectively on her baby bump, his thumb caressing gently. "Shouldn’t you be resting? You ’re hurt, tired... and

to his chest. She found the hard point of his nipple and let her hand