Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 180: Let it stay with you...

Afterwards, Davis gently released her. She took a shaky step back, her clothes slightly ruffled, her face flushed with a soft blush that crept across her cheeks and down to her lips.

She lowered her gaze in embarrassment, the weight of the moment lingering in the air between them.

She hadn’t expected to fall for his teasing again—not after what happened earlier. Yet here she was, caught in his warmth, her heart racing like a wild drum in her chest.

His calm, confident gaze still held a trace of amusement, as if he had known exactly how she would react.

She took a quick glance at her phone. Her eyes widened slightly. "One hour left," she murmured under her breath. She had a meeting to attend, and she couldn’t afford to be late—especially not now. Straightening her clothes a bit, Jessica made her way toward the bathroom.

"I need a quick bath again, it’s all your fault." she said, mostly to herself but last part she said to him with a glare. She could still feel the remnants of his touch, the heat of their moment clinging to her skin like an invisible fragrance.

"Care if I join you?" Davis’s voice came from behind, laced with a mischievous smirk.

Jessica paused and turned slightly, giving him a pointed look with one raised brow. Her intuition instantly kicked in, blaring sirens in her head. He was definitely up to no good.

"I’ll pass. You don’t worry—I’ll finish quickly, then you can take yours." Her voice was firm but not cold. There was still a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"You don’t have to worry. I won’t stop you again," he replied in a more serious tone, his eyes locking with hers.

Jessica hesitated for a second before shrugging. "Suit yourself," she said and slipped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Davis let out a low sigh. He paused for a moment, then turned his attention to the closet, he needed to get her a conservative wear.

His hands sifted through her clothes carefully, his eyes narrowing as he searched for something that could help cover the light red marks now tracing her delicate skin.

He knew she had to appear polished and composed, especially in front of business partners. After selecting a few options, he retrieved a set of clothes for her before he moved toward the bathroom to clean up and get ready himself.

In less than an hour, they were both dressed and ready to head out.

Jessica stood in front of the full-length mirror, her eyes scanning her reflection slowly. She sighed deeply, unsure of how to feel. A part of her felt anxious, the other uncertain.

"Seems like I’m losing value," she whispered to herself, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Becoming more... worthless and dependent by the day."

Her voice trailed off, soft and filled with self-doubt. But the gleam in her eyes betrayed her next words as she observed the set of clothes on the bed. I didn’t think of this outfit. He did a good job."

Davis had taken the liberty of switching her clothes while she was in the bathroom. Instead of her original casual outfit, he had chosen a high-collared, long-sleeved blouse paired with a sleek short skirt that stopped just a few inches above her knees.

It was smart, professional, and modest—perfect for the meeting. On her feet, a pair of low-heeled stilettos completed the look.

She turned slightly, admiring how the outfit complimented her figure. The elegance of it made her appear not just like a businesswoman—but like a woman in control. But deep within, a tiny sadness tugged at her chest. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Her eyes drifted to Davis, seated in his chair, casually adjusting his sleeves.

"How I wish..." she whispered in her thoughts, "How I wish he was on his feet. If only he could stand beside me in a tailored suit, joining me for this meeting. It would have been nice—walking in with him by my side."

She didn’t say those words aloud, but the longing in her eyes was enough for Davis to notice. His sharp gaze caught the fleeting flicker of sorrow in her expression. He didn’t speak immediately, but his heart clenched. He understood her concern.

He felt her silent wish, her buried fears, and her unspoken hopes. And he made a vow to himself in that moment—a silent promise only his heart could hear.

By the end of this month, he would try. He would push himself harder. He would take a few steps, even if it meant struggling through the pain. For her. For them.

Jessica snapped out of her thoughts and turned to him. "Aren’t you going out today?" she asked, noticing how relaxed he looked in his seat.

He shrugged lightly, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "I’ll wait for you to come back. Maybe you’ll bring me something I like."

Jessica chuckled. "Alright then."

She turned on her heels, heading toward the door. But before she could twist the handle, his voice called out gently behind her.

"Wife."

She froze.

That word echoed softly in the room, but it hit her heart like a thunderclap. Her breath caught, her heart skipping a beat. She turned around slowly, finding Davis wheeling his chair toward her with quiet determination.

Reaching her, he held out his hand, gently taking hers in his warm grasp. He didn’t rush. Instead, he studied her fingers, as if memorizing the delicate lines etched across her palm.

Then, carefully, he pulled out a small box and opened it.

A simple, elegant ring rested inside. Without a word, he slid it onto her finger with tender care.

"I’m sorry," Davis said softly, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I should have done this long ago. Forgive me... for leaving your finger bare for a whole year."

Jessica’s eyes widened, her chest tightening with emotion. She hadn’t expected this. Not today. Not now.

He continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I wanted to get you this ring before, but... life got in the way. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t have the right to. But now, now that you’ve chosen to walk this path with me, I want to do it right."

"I still owe you a grand wedding and I promise to do it very soon." He said.

He brought her hand up to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her ring finger.

"I don’t know what tomorrow holds. I don’t have all the answers. But baby..." he looked up at her, his voice trembling ever so slightly, "please don’t take this ring off. Let it stay with you, always."

Jessica’s vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes. This morning had brought nothing but surprises—one after the other. She hadn’t expected her heart to be this full.

Looking down at the ring, she lifted her hand to her lips and kissed it softly, as if sealing a sacred vow between them.

"It’s beautiful," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Just... beautiful."

In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the meeting. Not the expectations. Not even the world beyond those walls.

All that mattered was the man before her and the love he silently poured into every word, every action, every promise.

Jessica leaned down, placing a kiss on his forehead.

"I’ll be back," she whispered.

And with that, she walked out the door—not just as a businesswoman, a doctor or whatever name she had, but as a proud wife.