Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 382: Years ago...

"He left the country? Not even taking his assistant with him but instead his COO? Funny." He smirked coldly.

The subordinate hesitated briefly before continuing. "It seems to have been an impromptu decision. He attended Santiago’s banquet, and before long, he was gone."

"I suppose that must be for the summit. Based on estimates, it lasts for five days... an approximately one-week trip."

He inhaled deeply, his eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. "That should give me enough time to unravel and settle some scores."

The man leaned back in his chair, his hand pausing mid-motion. The younger boy sitting nearby turned his gaze toward him, uncertainty clear in his expression.

"Brother, what is going on?

Are you investigating Davis Allen?"

"Aren’t you his assistant?"

Questions churned in the boy’s mind, but every time he sought answers, his brother would only push him away, urging him to "live well."

For years, Luke had forced him to live abroad, his life reduced to schooling, eating, and sleeping, while he himself carried all the weight. The gap between them was filled with unspoken truths.

"Brother, can you really talk to me? Haven’t you shielded me enough? At least let me know what it is you are doing... or what you are going through." His voice trembled with frustration.

Luke glanced at his subordinate and waved dismissively. "You can go. Keep an eye on his wife."

The man nodded silently and left.

The younger boy quickly dragged a chair forward and sat down, his warm eyes fixed firmly on his brother. His stance was clear, he would not be leaving until he had answers.

Luke rubbed his temple as he stared at his mother’s miniature figure who was his brother.

His voice was heavy with restrained grief.

"Noah Norman, I only hoped you could live well and never be tainted by this dark side of life."

"Brother, I know you wanted the best for me," Noah pressed softly, "but I also wish you had the best for yourself. Wouldn’t that make me happier?"

Luke took a deep breath, his gaze settling on this brother of his who had been the reason of his living as he fell into memory.

Years back, the weather was still clouded when Nuela tapped him gently, her soft hand brushing across his brow.

"Wake up. Mom and Dad are about to go out," she whispered, her voice tender and soothing.

Luke stirred, sitting up groggily, rubbing his eyes as a quiet yawn escaped his lips.

"Sleepyhead, wake up," his mother teased.

early. Today’s Saturday, right?" His brows furrowed

was their household routine that Saturdays meant sleeping in, no nanny, no interruptions, just Nuela at

at the company, and I’ll be back before long," she assured him

the company? Aren’t Saturdays supposed to be free days?" he pressed, his natural curiosity getting

to the park. It will be a fun-filled day,

again, but his father entered, ruffling his hair. "You’re already so big, yet you still

the one who set the example. Otherwise, how would you

around Nuela’s shoulders. "I suppose I learned

her leave her intended field of study to become

it on you?" Nuela shot back, her eyes

brother?" he asked, already sensing the request behind their

down beside him, while his father scratched his head awkwardly, his gaze anywhere in the room beside

they wanted

especially on the nights they both spent at the company. But he still asked, "What’s in it

"Your dream book."

the haunted house." They answered in

sighed, collapsing back into bed. "I have a date with friends. Do I really

darling. Mom will make it up to you," Nuela pleaded

a few set of instructions, three-year-old Noah was left in

was the end of it. Luke waited and waited but his parents never returned

brother sat on the steps, waiting faithfully for their parents to

arrived, their eyes heavy

they were or why

tightly in his embrace he took the steps ready to bolt into the house but then

He lifted his gaze to her

he hasn’t met her before but knowing

his gaze took

am your mother’s friend," she

warm and kind

with her. In her words "your mom couldn’t make it back home so I was on the way and she asked me to pick you

man cut through the moment, sharp

but your parents

is still a child. How could you give him such news?" The lady queried, anxiously she pulled them

what was said was lost

that day, the stories of their life took a drastic

orphanage, the young lady and her husband visited them a few times with so many gifts promising

he had managed to ask the woman her name but her response had

stopped coming and nobody visited again. Not even the uncles and aunts that

bleak, he fled the orphanage with the hope of securing a better

all sorts of odd jobs while he sneaks back to check