Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 368: Meeting 1

~The Palace Restaurant~

Jessica’s car pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot, her hand resting gently on her belly.

A tangle of emotions coursed through her; anticipation, apprehension and a hint of resentment but her face remained perfectly unreadable.

From the driver’s seat, the man glanced at her through the rearview mirror, noticing her faraway stare. "Ma’am," he said carefully, "we are here."

Jessica nodded. Her gaze lifted towards the tall, large building of the restaurant. The restaurant’s frontage was warm and inviting, with tall glass windows framed by dark wood panels and soft uplighting that gave it a golden glow.

At its entrance was a well-crafted nameplate in elegant lettering, proudly displaying its name like a proud king: "The Palace."

A glance towards the glass doors revealed a uniformed doorman standing ready to welcome guests, his bearing humble and his smile warm and welcoming.

Potted plants flanked the doorway, adding a touch of greenery to the refined setting. A water fountain stood at the centre, water flowing from its carved lion’s head.

Jessica pulled open the door and stepped down, her phone in hand as she walked towards the glass door, the doorman welcoming her warmly.

Inside the restaurant, the space was warm and sophisticated. The tables, neatly set, were covered in white tablecloths.

A simple flower vase arranged in the middle gave a faint scent of fresh flowers, lending the air a calm and inviting vibe.

Soft lighting hung from the chandeliers, casting a gentle glow over the arrangement, making it cozy and elegant. Soft music played in the background.

With the rush hour past and morning diners reduced, the restaurant was basically empty.

Jessica chose a seat by the window, she walked over and settled down. Her gaze drifting through the window.

Placing her bag on her lap and her hands on the table, her chin rested on them.

A waiter approached her, placed a bottle of water on the table, and bowed slightly. "Any orders?"

her head lightly. "I’m waiting for someone; we’ll order

your service," he said as he

halted when she saw him walking

him for a while and in spite of herself she silently compared his

assured, a presence that drew the eye, his eyes just like hers bore

daze, she didn’t notice when he arrived at her side. "Sister?" he called softly, his voice

settling anywhere but on Julian. "You are here?" she said

a chair opposite her and sat down. "How are you doing?"

she muttered. Her words were polite and

to be her brother, Jessica was at a loss over how to communicate

to accept this meeting. While

ordered, he returned inside to have it prepared. Jessica took

right?"

Julian nodded.

do you know about me?" she

can you calm down?

be served," she said, her tone firm "can we just talk this over? I have

what do you want

how are we related?"

authenticity of this relationship, she still preferred giving him the benefit of the doubt, the opportunity to explain, and the

But..." He slid an envelope across the table. "The details here might be of help to the

and placed it on the table beside her water. "I still want

placing them before them. Jessica picked up

she wasn’t hungry but she needed something to distract her

was taken away from our mother immediately after birth without her

Dad was not aware, it was a plan orchestrated

he preferred to

at birth? Who was the baby buried in the Brown family

plucked a few strands of