Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 397: To play the final leg of this game..

"Dave Raven?" Julian called tentatively, his voice both probing and doubtful. For some reason, there shouldn’t be any connection between Dave Raven and Davis Allen.

Davis nodded lightly, his hand still stretched forward. He was certain he wasn’t being rude nor trying to ignore him, but the shock had been far heavier than expected.

Julian stepped forward, accepting the handshake. "Are you really Dave Raven?" he asked again, needing to clear his doubt.

"Julian, you don’t have to look so shocked. It’s nothing but a mere name," Davis tried to pacify.

At that moment, he had no luxury of arguing about names or their origin, nor was he ready to explain the reason behind his dual identity.

Julian took a deep breath. "It’s nice meeting you. My father must be really happy to see we finally met."

"I met him a few days ago," Davis answered, his gaze darting toward the closed yet transparent door. "Let me see her."

Julian gave a slight nod and stepped back.

Davis stepped closer to the glass door, his warm and gentle gaze fell on the lady on the bed. "Where is the doctor?" He asked no one in particular.

"I will call him over," the guard said as he left and headed towards the Dean’s office.

Julian lingered behind Davis. He wanted to see Jessica first; he had only gone to the Dean’s office to ask about her condition and get a clear report of her situation.

More than that, he had hoped to fly her back to Country Z both for personal and medical reasons.

But with Davis suddenly in the picture, that possibility had crumbled unless later diagnosis proved otherwise.

"Sir, the Dean is here." The guard’s voice cut through the silence and tension that was tightening around Davis.

"Can I go in?" Davis asked, not once retracting his gaze from the frail woman on the bed.

It was as though everyone present was just a backdrop to the moment. His fist clenched briefly. It was clear he was fighting to hold himself together.

"You can go in," the Dean answered, pushing open the door. "But only two family members at a time."

Davis stepped into the ICU in long strides. The sterile fragrance of antiseptic, the warm and piercing white light of the ICU was not even noticed by him as he entered. Julian walked in behind him.

With the lady on the bed now in clear view, Davis found himself rooted at a spot, his feet refusing to move forward.

Both men’s hearts thumped hard and painfully, their throats tightening around unspoken words.

clenched at his side as he took in her familiar features, he had sketched by himself and had come to memorize over

feet to her bedside. Each step tightened his

in the sight before him, he found himself losing his

her nose. Machines

her skin ghostly pale due to blood loss was in stark contrast

as they dissolved in the

sank to his knees beside her, his trembling hands lifting her limp palm as if it were made of porcelain. Her skin was warm, but weaker than he remembered. It

His tears fell freely.

than most. It had taken him years

life and death,

Wi..fe," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Can you open your eyes?

you promise to wait for me? Didn’t you promise you’d be safe?" His voice cracked

on her head gently and softly as if handling an expensive porcelain doll that breaks at the

asked hoarsely, though

he cursed himself silently blaming himself for

Maybe he shouldn’t

understand your point of view. But then... wouldn’t that mean I was selfish? And isn’t that the opposite of

pulling him from his spiral. "It was a gash, something pierced her forehead and it was a

must have

"When is she

He shook his head slowly and ominously. Davis’ heart lurched as it fell deep into

endured too much. She slipped into unconsciousness before labor, and even through surgery, there were no

tightened. "Doctor, I hope you’re not

on her brain. But

voice raw. "You’re wrong. She can’t keep

sheer words could tether her soul. Julian stood nearby, helpless,

reached out, but Davis shoved him

"Davis, aren’t you going to ask about the child she was carrying before the

eyes glazed. "When she lies

won’t solve anything. Why don’t you take a breath... and

a mocking smile tugging at

say that!" Julian snapped. "She fought to protect them. The driver gave his life to save them. The least you can

his tone. "See the children. Then decide what comes next. My sister wouldn’t

I?" Davis

Julian nodded.

back to Jessica, brushing her cheek gently. "Babe, did you hear that? There were two..." His voice