Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 415 415: It's her decision to make...

Davis glanced at the faces of the two elderly in-laws beside him just in time to catch each of them masking their shock.

For a moment, he found it strangely refreshing to see them still bearing the grudge of the past while the met on a narrow path.

Totally unfazed about the full tale between the Santiagos and the Andersons, Davis was the first to break the silence.

"Grandma," he greeted softly, stepping forward with quiet respect to help her out of the elevator.

Once outside, Lady Matilda paused in the hallway. Her gaze lingered on Davis, her eyes misty with the weight of memories. One hand leaned against her walking stick while the other trembled as she slowly lifted it, her frail fingers carefully tracing Davis' features.

"You've suffered a lot," she murmured, a bitter smile tugging at her lips every word a testimony to the pains endured.

Her maternal warmth washed over him like a balm, Davis shook his head lightly. "Not compared to hers," he answered, concealing the ache that pressed against his heart.

"How have you been?" She asked softly.

"Grandma, I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me," Davis reassured her, his eyes gentle, filled with the kind of affection he rarely allowed others to see.

"I…I… really have to," Lady Matilda lamented, her voice breaking. "Especially when you are the one bearing the most pain."

"Let's go in and see her," Davis said quietly, extending his hand to guide her down the corridor toward the ward.

Behind them, Josh stepped closer. His heart pounded with unease. How was he supposed to address Lady Matilda without stirring her displeasure?

Back when Nora was alive, he had called her 'Mom.' But with the bitter rift between the Anderson and Santiago families, guilt weighed heavily on him. He felt trapped between shame and longing, caught at a crossroads.

As Lady Matilda prepared to walk forward, Josh clenched his fists, then took a hesitant step. Against reason, against pride, he spoke the word he had long held back.

"Mom," he greeted, his voice calm yet unsteady.

The old lady froze mid step. She had intend to ignore his presence, she wouldn't want another set of entanglement between the families any more but

as they fell on Josh Anderson…the man who would have been her son-in-law. A storm of emotions flickered

with detachment, a

words pierced him. Noting her coldness, Josh felt the strength

felt tired, empty. He felt hurt. And most of all, he felt guilty for the

passed, he would definitely pay the price of his foolishness. Looking back in

from Josh to

not deny it. Deep inside, he hoped that somehow, someday, the two families

want his wife caught in the crossfire

gave a small nod. "Seems you have quite the taste,"

Josh stiffen. Davis frowned slightly, turning the remark over in his mind, unable to discern her

to ask but he was afraid it might even complicate matters, he

she added curtly, shifting her gaze back to Davis. "Davis, lead the

hallway. When they reached the closed door of

care, she was granted some time at Jessica's bedside, while Josh remained outside, waiting in the

hour later, Lady Matilda emerged from the ward with Davis supporting her gently. Her expression was heavy

for

about the doctors, the treatments, and

"Grandma, Mr. Josh wanted

Her eyes sharpened like steel as they

did you just say?"

He would

your own wish, or simply because he asked you to?"

suggestion," Davis admitted tersely. Though he longed for Jessica's recovery, he

again. Seeing her every morning and night, speaking to her, sitting with her in the ICU…those moments were

have ignored the NICU in his own suffering, but

studied him carefully, weighing his sincerity. Then she lifted her chin

she must wake

having overheard. His steps faltered, but he