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

would have been her son-in-law. A storm of emotions flickered

asked, her tone laced with detachment, a cold unfamiliarity that cut deeper

coldness, Josh felt

weight of regret. He felt tired, empty. He felt hurt. And most of all, he felt

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

her gaze from Josh to Davis. "An

inside, he hoped that somehow, someday, the two families could mend their

crossfire of

studied him, then gave a small nod. "Seems you have quite the taste," she

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

ask but he was afraid it might even

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

closed door of the

to Davis' care, she was granted some time at Jessica's bedside, while Josh remained outside, waiting in the ICU waiting room, alone

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

plan for her?"

the treatments, and the diagnoses they

Josh wanted to transfer

Lady Matilda's brow furrowed. Her eyes sharpened like steel

just say?" she

swallowed hard but repeated himself. He would not conceal such

or simply because he

tersely. Though he longed for Jessica's recovery, he could not bear

sitting with her in the ICU…those moments were what kept him alive, that was the only reason of

in his own suffering, but

sincerity. Then she

but she must wake to claim that name. Until

then, Josh stepped forward, having overheard. His steps faltered, but he forced himself