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?"

his tone calm but firm. "No. You

pouted slightly, knowing there was no point arguing. Still, she couldn’t resist throwing a

way to feed someone." Davis smirked, the glint in his eyes shifting from worry to playful heat.

He whispered with a wink, his

She quickly averted her gaze, staring at the far end of the room, anywhere but at him.

if it was just a

him to finish, unable to take any more, she snatched the spoon from his hand and began eating

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 her so

chuckled, a deep rumble that vibrated through the

still feel his gaze on her and no doubt

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

an unexpected jolt through her. Her breath caught. Heat spread rapidly through her chest and lower abdomen. An unexpected

Davis paused his laughter, noticing her sudden seriousness. "What’s

could finish, she straddled him and

her breath brushing his neck. "I changed

under her weight.

rolled them over gently so she lay beneath him, propping himself up on one elbow to support his weight. With his other hand, he brushed a few loose

arched an

his nose, then trailed down to his lips, brushing lightly over

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

breath hitched. Her fingers were soft but her touch was confident, teasing. He swallowed hard, the

hand. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his

she wrapped her arms around his

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

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

often taken the lead leaving him flustered, she was never afraid to speak her mind. But this—this level of temptation was on a

under control. But she leaned in and

back, his concern bubbling to the surface, but she looped her arms around his neck and

away, his gaze gentle and warm. His hand moved down to rest protectively on her

let her hand rest