Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption

After the meeting, Jessica spent the remaining part of the day in the company, handling several outstanding matters.

Though many had been postponed because of Davis' trip, after the morning's disruption she knew she had to personally settle certain issues that had surfaced as a result.

She dialed out a line on her phone. The call was answered on the first ring.

"Uncle, we can now sign the partnership with the Allen Group."

"Didn't you say you would discuss it with Davis first?" he asked.

"I will explain the situation to him when he returns. Besides, it was originally my project for Santiago's Group," Jessica said firmly.

"But during the implementation, there will be a need for Davis to…" he began.

"Uncle, don't worry. Once he returns, he will complete the process. Since it will take months before entering the production line, this won't disrupt anything," she explained, her tone calm yet decisive.

"Alright then. My assistant will bring over the documents for your signing since I'm out of the country."

"That's fine. As long as someone handles it." A faint smirk touched her lips.

After a few more pleasantries, the call ended. Jessica leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply, her fingers absently tapping her cheek in thought.

She picked up the intercom. "Assistant Luke, bring me the project file of the last quarter."

With Ethan away on the summit with Davis, she had decided to test Luke Norman, first she needed to know who he is and what he wants.

She wouldn't want another Vera or Desmond when it had already taken a toll on her to take them away from the group.

Another because he seems more capable than others and the last thing was by his job description it was his duty and office to handle such requests.

The next five days, she had resolved, would be a time of purging…removing every wolf disguised in sheep's clothing from the Allen Group.

She dropped the receiver as she sat up properly, her gaze falling on the opened file before her as she resumed her work.

A soft knock at the door broke her train of thought. Luke entered, carrying a file.

"Here are the documents," he said, placing it carefully on her desk. He gave a polite bow and turned to leave, but Jessica's voice stopped him.

"What do you think about the Louis Group?"

Luke froze. His heart skipped a beat. Of all questions, this was one he had neither prepared for nor expected in a professional setting.

Slowly, he turned around. Jessica's gaze was sharp, intent, boring into him as though she could peel the truth from him with her eyes alone.

Before he could think, words slipped from his mouth unbidden. "They are cruel."

The atmosphere froze. Realizing what he had said, Luke scratched his head awkwardly, his ears burning.

Jessica's eyes narrowed, though her lips curled into a faint, cold smile. "Cruel… yes, that is the right word for them."

"Luke," she said softly.

He stiffened, his back straightening unconsciously. It felt ridiculous how he was usually composed, stoic, respected by everyone around him. But in front of Jessica, this seemingly delicate woman, he found himself flustered, unsettled, even stumped.

Harmless? he thought briefly. Yet hadn't she, in a single day, completely turned the tide of power within the Allen Group?

It was a mistake to think she was harmless.

Jessica's voice pulled him back. "Why do you think they are cruel?"

With no options left in correcting the statement, he took a deep breath ready to give his reasons.

He opened his mouth, but she raised a hand, stopping him. "Sit," she instructed, gesturing to the chair opposite her desk.

Luke sighed inwardly. "Why do I feel this husband and wife had the same attitude?"

Just like Davis. He remembered when Davis had once told him to sit before assigning him the Alpha Project investigation.

Now Jessica was doing the same, only this time it was over a single subconscious word…cruel..

He sat down, his posture calm, his face cold as he had finally got hold of himself.

"So," Jessica pressed, "why do you think they are cruel?"

"Very simple," Luke replied evenly. "From what happened this morning until midday, it's obvious. They show no mercy." He replied.

He stopped there. Though he had discovered darker truths about the Louis family, he wasn't ready to reveal them…not yet.

Those secrets were his trump card, and he wouldn't show his hand before the right moment, before actualizing his dream.

He would rather close the net once the fish had successfully entered the net than expose the skills he had at hand.

But deep down, he knew the Louis family wouldn't remain quiet. With the information he had about them, their next move would be decisive and dangerous.

A move that could determine the fate of everything. Right now, he felt he was a spectator to the unfolding drama.

He felt his heart racing, maybe at that time, he would be able to get convincing evidence. Looking at the lady before him, he felt the need to warn her.

He drew a steady breath and finally added, "Ma'am, if I must say…you should be wary of Sylas Louis. He is not a simple man."

Jessica's eyes lingered on him, narrowing slightly. She could sense he was holding back, hiding something. But since he was unwilling to reveal them, she didn't push it.

Instead, she nodded slowly. She had already considered the same point. The Louis family's spotless reputation was no accident. If there were no scandals, it could only mean one thing, someone had them cleaned and erased.

This point she believes wouldn't be far from Sylas. Questions swirl in her mind…

Does that mean, Sylas would always eliminate the preparator?

Or does he go as far as scheming against them all over again? Or turn the case against them?

But no matter how she thought about it, she was sure her hand wasn't reaching out to the actual person Sylas Louis was.

But then no matter what it is, they do? This would certainly be the end for every beginning.

Either the truth between the Allen and Louis families came to light, or the fragile thread connecting them would finally snap.

After giving Luke brief instructions, Jessica let him go back while she fell into a deep thought.

With one decision ringing in his mind "I must come out of this in one piece."

Her gaze fell on her baby bump as she felt the baby's kick as though hearing her thoughts.

She lifted her hand and caressed it slowly "You should always be good. "Dad's not home to save us."

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After work, Jessica returned home tired and stressed out, the warm smile of Deborah welcoming her home.

She made her way up the stairs for a quick bath. Stepping out of the bathroom, she was met with the ringing of her phone on the bedside table and a steaming hot dinner.

She felt grateful for Deborah's presence but recalling she would be spending this night alone, she sighed.

She glanced at the caller ID…

She quickly picked up the call, Davis' low and lazy voice came through the speaker "Babe, how are you doing?"

"I am okay. You seem tired." She questioned.

"Not actually but I have been thinking…"

Her brows furrowed. Thinking? There was a note in his voice she didn't often hear. Hesitation, worry, almost fear. Davis, the man who always sounded steady, decisive, now seemed… uncertain.

"What are you thinking?" She asked…her voice calm and expectant.

"Have you sent the specimen for testing?" His voice tinged with mixed emotions.

"Yes, I did and I plan to get it back tomorrow morning." She said.

"What's the problem?" Jessica pressed. Beneath his question, she could hear and feel curiosity, hope, but also fear.

"If the result is positive… and the family wants them acknowledged?" His words were cautious, probing seeking for answers.

"It depends on their sincerity. That will be the only basis for acknowledgement," she replied calmly.

"What about when they are very sincere both in words and deeds but with the condition of calling off our marriage?"

"What if they are sincere, both in words and deeds but on the condition that we call off our marriage?"

Her lips parted slightly. "Call off our marriage?" she repeated slowly, her tone laced with incredulity.

Realization dawned on her, so that was it. The worry in his voice wasn't about the test, but about them, about their marriage.

Jessica burst into laughter. Her shoulders shook with it, and she almost wished he were in front of her, just so she could capture the expression on his face…an anxious, flustered Davis, a sight far too rare.

"So this is why you sound worried?" she teased.

"Is it not worth being worried about?" he shot back, defensive.

Jessica tapped her cheek lightly, smiling. "There's a solution."

"What solution?" His voice was eager, tinged with nerves.

He knew her place in the Anderson family. He had seen the way Josh adored her. He knew, for Jessica, Josh would give everything.

But the thought of losing her gnawed at him like a shadow he couldn't shake since he returned from the Anderson home.

Hearing the anxiousness laced in his voice, Jessica felt it refreshing to have him flustered about losing her.

Jessica's voice came clear and steady, laced with quiet authority. "The answer is simple. Prove your sincerity. Pursue your wife. Prove yourself worthy of her."