Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 369: I’m confused...

"Jessica, Dad is really sorry for you. He wished he had known earlier... he regrets not being able to find you after she was buried."

Julian’s voice cut through the fog in her mind, drawing her back from the swirl of thoughts. Only then did she realize a warm tear had slid down her cheek.

She quickly brushed it away with the back of her hand, lifting her eyes to meet his. Her gaze was calm on the surface, but there was a brittle edge beneath.

"Julian, you may never know... but she suffered. She was hurt, she was destroyed. Even at her lowest, she fought, she endured—and yet in the end..." Her voice wavered. "...he was unable to..."

Julian’s eyes reddened, and his voice broke. "Jessica, there’s no doubt it was painful. But I know...if Mom was given another chance...she would have made the same choice, over and over again."

Jessica stared at him for a brief moment in resignation. Knowing how stubborn her mother could be, Julian wasn’t lying.

She had always wondered why Nora never spoke of her regrets, why she carried her burdens in silence. Now, the answer seemed clearer.

There’s no doubt she would have made that same decision, that same choice.

If Nora hadn’t been so certain in her choice, she wouldn’t have told Jessica to return to the Anderson family.

She wouldn’t have given her the Anderson name again at the slightest insult from George Brown.

She wouldn’t have been confident of Anderson willing to receive her back if she had not trusted him with her life.

"Julian," Jessica called, lifting the satchel up. "I will choose to verify this truth with this last option."

Julian nodded. As long as she is willing to give this opportunity, there is definitely hope.

Jessica picked up the serviette, dabbing her lips lightly, she thanked him for the meal and rose from her seat.

plate. "You haven’t eaten. Why not take a

if he had insisted on them finishing the meal, she wouldn’t have lost

her head in rejection. "You don’t have to blame yourself, II just

pack something for you?" he asked, already signaling

be necessary. I have an evening engagement... I need to get home and prepare." She glanced

on her heels

She paused mid-step before she slowly turned around

extended a file toward her. "The first time we met was... unexpected. Please accept this, my gift to you as your brother." His tone was calm, but his

Or will she

and took the

in Julian’s eyes. Without another word, she turned and walked

back home was quiet, yet her mind was restless as she was lost in thought, with Julian volunteering his hair

the driver stopped the car at the doorstep. Jessica’s rattled mood seemed not to improve as she walked into the house

when Deborah was welcoming her, she only nodded at her in silence...an action that left

held in her hand. The envelope, the satchel, and her bag lay beside her on the

countdown to the time of the banquet, Jessica

willing to go on with it. Maybe, I should take a trip out of the country immediately

Taking a deep sigh, she decided to catch some

take care of anything, she laid down with the items she returned with placed beside her

~Two Hours later~

a few top-class stylists in tow, letting them settle in

to attend to the guests; he glanced briefly at her. "Is she back?"

been back for a while but hasn’t stepped out. When I sent in lunch she refused, and her mood seems to

"Off?" he asked

in affirmation. She wouldn’t have said anything since it’s not in her place, but