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.

himself and had come to memorize over the

to her bedside. Each step tightened his chest until

took in the sight before

was bound in bandages, an oxygen mask strapped over her nose. Machines beeped rhythmically, tubes and wires connecting her

bed cover, her skin ghostly pale due to blood loss was in stark contrast to the vibrant, full, and breathtaking beautiful

they dissolved in the swell of emotion. His reddened eyes stung as tears blurred his vision threatening to

limp palm as if it were made of porcelain. Her skin was warm, but weaker

His tears fell freely.

taken him

in their worst moments of life and

you open your eyes?

Didn’t you promise you’d be

bandage on her head gently and softly as if handling

asked hoarsely, though

he cursed himself silently

left. Maybe he shouldn’t have

have tried so hard to understand your point of view. But then... wouldn’t that mean I was selfish? And isn’t that

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

have hurt

head whipped toward the doctor. "When is

his head slowly and ominously. Davis’ heart lurched

I can’t really say. She endured too much. She slipped into unconsciousness before

tightened. "Doctor, I hope you’re not

given the stress on her brain. But ultimately... it depends on her

him off, his voice raw. "You’re wrong.

again, speaking softly, frantically, as if sheer words could tether her soul. Julian

out, but Davis

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

head, his eyes glazed. "When she lies like

way won’t solve anything. Why don’t

tugging at his lips.

driver gave his life to save them. The least you can do is honor

what comes next. My sister wouldn’t

Davis asked

Julian nodded.

to Jessica, brushing her cheek gently. "Babe,