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.

her familiar features, he had sketched by himself and had come to memorize over the years, now pale, weakened, almost unrecognizable and most

dragging his feet to her bedside. Each

the sight before him, he

oxygen mask strapped over her nose. Machines beeped rhythmically, tubes and wires connecting her frail body to

bed cover, her skin ghostly pale due to blood loss was

to speak, but his lips quivered, unable to form any word as they dissolved in the swell

palm as if it were made of porcelain. Her skin was warm, but weaker than he remembered. It

His tears fell freely.

body temperature had always been peculiar, warmer than most. It had taken him years to get used to it. But never...never had it

even in their worst moments of life and death, she had not felt

whispered, his voice breaking. "Can you open your eyes? I’m back

you promise to wait for me? Didn’t you promise you’d be

brushed the bandage on her head gently and softly as if handling an expensive porcelain doll that

asked

silently blaming himself

left. Maybe he shouldn’t

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

and it was

have hurt

whipped toward the doctor. "When is she expected

and ominously. Davis’ heart lurched as it

slipped into unconsciousness before labor, and even through surgery, there were no signs

I hope you’re not

a ninety-five percent chance, given the stress on her brain. But ultimately... it depends

cut him off, his voice raw.

tether her soul. Julian

reached out, but Davis shoved

going to ask about the child she

eyes glazed. "When

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

Davis echoed bitterly, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "What is the essence of

The driver gave his life to save them.

tone. "See the children. Then decide what comes next. My

Davis asked

Julian nodded.

her cheek gently. "Babe, did you hear