Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 283: Jessy...are you married?

Jessica noted the unwavering resolve in Lady Matilda’s eyes and exhaled heavily. It was clear—there would be no changing of her mind. This time, she was trapped. Doomed. With no route for escape.

She rubbed her brow, frustration settling in her chest like heavy stones. Her mind spiraled back to the dinner table—those cold glares, the covert glances, the unspoken battles.

She felt herself descending deeper into a cellar of politics and power struggles, and there was no torch to light the way.

Silently, she walked toward Lady Matilda, crouched beside her, and gently took her wrist to check her pulse. She ran a quick series of observations—breathing, skin tone, response time. Each of them carefully done.

With a quiet sigh, she said, "You’re stable, but I’ll prescribe something for you. Donald should get it in the morning. It will help you recuperate and ... you should also reduce stress...when I say stress, it means practically anything that triggers one. You really shouldn’t be pushing yourself this hard." She instructed with her professional tone.

Her last sentence came out softer, barely more than a whisper. The weight of everything was starting to sink in.

Lady Matilda’s brows furrowed slightly as she watched her. Though she had claimed Jessica as her granddaughter, she had yet to truly know her and to understand her plight in the time past.

She had hoped to bring her back gradually, to learn her story over shared time. But looking at Jessica now—so composed, so controlled—Matilda couldn’t stop the questions silently churning in her heart.

She patted the armrest of the chair beside her. "Will you sit, Jessy? Let’s talk a little before you leave."

Her voice was soft, loving and totally disarming even. For a moment, Jessica nearly sat down. But instead, she shook her head.

"I can’t," she said, her voice gentle. "It’s late. I need to go home."

Matilda’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you have an appointment? I would’ve preferred if you spent the night. My driver could take you back after breakfast."

Jessica’s smile was faint, but firm. "Not tonight. I... I can’t sleep here. Not yet." And not when Davis is still waiting for me, she thought silently. Not when my heart is still split between two worlds.

Lady Matilda didn’t press further. She sensed her granddaughter’s hesitation ran deeper than fatigue.

Still, she nodded in understanding, grateful at least that Jessica had come back, that she had agreed, however reluctantly to help, to help her uncle and the Santiagos’ family. But a deeper worry lingered: the fear of losing her again. Like she lost Nora.

"When will you visit again?" she asked softly.

Jessica smiled a little. "Soon. I’ll come by more often—especially now that I need to understand the Santiago affairs."

"That’s good. But don’t burden yourself. Donald will prepare a comprehensive report for you," Matilda said with a nod. "I only hope you both understand each other. I don’t want to see this family fall apart."

Jessica gave a solemn nod. She picked up the welcome gift Matilda had given her earlier and turned toward the door. Her hand was on the knob when Matilda’s voice called out, sharp and sudden.

"Jessy... are you married?"

Jessica froze.

Her fingers clenched slightly on the brass handle. Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected that question—at least, not today. She’d imagined it as a distant conversation, meant for a quieter time. A softer moment.

Behind her, Lady Matilda watched her back stiffen and frowned. Yet despite the concern, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Slowly, Jessica turned around, her expression warm and unguarded.

"Yes," she answered gently. "I’m married."

A flicker of surprise crossed Matilda’s face, quickly replaced by curiosity and a motherly edge of concern.

"To whom?" she asked, her tone cautious but not unkind. "Whose family son is it?"

Jessica exhaled slowly. She hadn’t thought she’d have to answer this sort of question. Not since her mother’s death had anyone shown true concern about the man she was forced to marry.

George Brown had only been interested in the benefit that comes with marriage. She met Matilda’s eyes and said quietly, "Davis Allen."

The effect was immediate.

Lady Matilda’s breath caught. Her hand trembled, the color draining from her face. "You... you don’t mean the Allen boy? The one who... was crippled?"

Seeing her almost going into shock, Jessica rushed back to her side. She didn’t expect the mention of "Davis Allen" to create such an impact. A question then tugged at her heartstrings "Is he that horrible?"

She meticulously steadied her, quickly assessing the signs of shock, then reached for the nearby glass of water and offered it to her. Matilda took a small sip and handed it back.

"You see what I mean?" Jessica scolded softly, though her tone held affection. "Few minutes ago, I just told you not to stress yourself," Jessica chided gently. "And now you’re almost sending yourself to the hospital."

Matilda exhaled shakily. "Jessy, I’m just... surprised. But... aren’t you wronged?" Her voice cracked slightly. "You’re so young. And him... with everything I’ve heard... the accident... the company... the anger..."

Jessica lowered her gaze. Emotions tightened in her chest as she watched the frantic Matilda.

Matilda took her hand, the grip firmer now, driven by rising anxiety.

"Is he good to you?" she asked urgently.

"Is he still angry all the time? Are you safe? Comfortable?

We can help if you want. We can support him, help him reclaim his position. Or... do you want a divorce?"

Jessica blinked, she felt her head spin with the rapid stream of questions, stunned by the sheer rapid fire of her concern.

"Were you in that accident too? Were you hurt? Let Grandma see," Matilda insisted, trying to check her arms, her face, her legs—searching for signs of injury.

Jessica gently stopped her, placing her hands over hers.

Her eyes shimmered.

No one had asked these questions in a long time. No one had cared so completely. This wasn’t just a matriarch worried about image. This was a grandmother—her grandmother—worried for her child.

The word escaped her lips before she could stop it.

"Grandma."

Lady Matilda’s eyes widened at the word, and a softness came over her. She didn’t expect to hear her call her ’grandma’ in this short time. She was grateful and happy yet it couldn’t conceal her worry.

"You don’t have to worry," Jessica said, voice low and full of emotion. "I’m fine. Truly. He’s been... good to me. He’s waiting outside, actually."

Matilda blinked. "Outside? You mean... the Allen boy is here?"

Jessica nodded.

Matilda stared at her in disbelief, then slowly—so very slowly—smiled. "He came with you?"

"Yes," Jessica confirmed.

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