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?"

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

he

to call but halted when she saw him walking in

gaze rested on him for a while and in spite of herself she silently compared his features to the fading

that drew the eye, his eyes just like hers bore the

arrived at her side. "Sister?" he called softly, his voice low and

eyes settling anywhere but on

pulled out a chair opposite her and sat down. "How are you

"I’m doing great," she muttered. Her

claiming to be her brother, Jessica was at

herself to accept this meeting. While she was lost in thought, Julian

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

right?"

Julian nodded.

know

can you calm down? Let’s have our meal

firm "can we just talk this over? I have other things

what do you want to

how are we related?"

as she doubted the authenticity of this relationship, she still preferred giving him the

nodded and leaned forward slightly. "Explaining everything would take hours. But..." He slid an envelope across the table. "The details here might be of help to the things

table beside her

orders, placing them

she needed

"I was taken away from our mother immediately after birth without

then resumed her action. "Though Dad was not aware, it was a plan orchestrated by the Anderson

at this moment he preferred to tell

Who was the baby buried in the Brown family cemetery?" she

about since I have no idea." Lifting his hand, he plucked a few strands of