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?"

calm but firm. "No. You eat before

point arguing. Still, she

smirked, the glint in his eyes shifting from worry to playful heat.

you?" He whispered with a

of red. She quickly averted her gaze, staring at

I didn’t even say anything yet. What if it was just a silly spoon plane or something innocent, like

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

the heat on her face betraying her calm facade and she didn’t trust herself to meet his gaze

rumble that vibrated through the room, seductive in

on the food, but she could still feel his gaze on

looked up, intending to scold him, but her gaze landed on the sensual curve of his throat, just as his Adam’s apple shifted

jolt through her. Her breath caught. Heat spread rapidly through her chest and lower

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

she straddled him and gently pushed him back

close to his ear, her breath

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

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 eyebrow. "Or

tantalizing path down his forehead, over his nose, then trailed down

to his throat. She let her

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

hand. She leaned

to pull away, she wrapped her arms around his neck and

you’re doing, young lady?" he groaned against her

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

She’d often taken the lead leaving him flustered, she

took a deep breath, struggling to rein himself under control. But she leaned in and kissed him, soft and

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

to rest protectively on her baby bump, his thumb caressing

and let her hand rest there. Davis’s breath hitched, his body betraying