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 firm. "No. You eat

there was no point arguing. Still,

to feed someone." Davis smirked, the glint in his eyes

I show you?" He whispered with a wink,

averted her gaze, staring at the far end

anything yet. What if

the spoon from his

the heat on her face betraying her calm facade and she didn’t trust herself to meet his gaze again so soon. She hadn’t expected such a simple flirt to unnerve

rumble that vibrated

she could still feel his gaze on her and no doubt it was warm,

him, but her gaze landed on the sensual curve of his throat, just as

caught. Heat spread rapidly through her chest and lower abdomen. An unexpected scene flashing across her thought, her

Davis paused his laughter, noticing her sudden seriousness.

she straddled him and gently pushed him back onto

voice, her lips close to his ear, her breath brushing his neck. "I

looked up at her with a knowing smile, shifting slightly under her weight. "Have you

gently so she lay beneath him, propping himself up on one elbow to support his weight. With his other hand,

arched an eyebrow.

traced a slow, tantalizing path down his forehead, over his nose, then

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

were soft but her touch was confident, teasing. He swallowed hard, the

retracted her hand. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his lips

away, she wrapped her arms around his neck and

you’re doing, young lady?" he groaned against her cheek, desire swelling dangerously

his gaze again. "Why don’t you tell me

days of their marriage, Jessica had always been bold. She’d often taken the lead leaving him flustered, she was never afraid to speak her mind. But

she leaned in and kissed him, soft and slow,

to the surface, but she looped her arms around his neck and kissed him again—deeper, with a fierceness

moved down to rest protectively on her baby

drifted lower to his chest. She found the hard point of his nipple and let her hand rest there. Davis’s breath hitched, his body betraying him even as his mind tried