Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption

~Four Days later~

Jessica's days had fallen into a regular rhythm: waking up, having breakfast, heading to the company, and returning in the evening; closing each day with phone calls to Davis, where they shared the small details of their lives.

The routine was monotonous, but she accepted it. Things needed to be done.

At the company, her reforms swept through the entire unit like wildfire. Staff whose allegiance had been with Desmond were dismissed..

Several new policies were made, partnership conditions reviewed and adjusted to be more strict, her purpose was clear…to prevent a repeat of disasters like the Alpha Project.

The DNA results had been collected, and though they merely confirmed what she already knew yet she felt shocked. She is an Anderson.

At home, she had shown Elder Allen her proof of identity as well the second key to the vault.

That night, she requested that he prepare to hand the key to Davis upon his return, so as to gain access to the blueprint.

After so many considerations, she arrived at one conclusion: "continue the research and attain the set goal."

She longed to see the project revived in earnest and unveiled before long.

Too much had been sacrificed; her mother, and others who had given their lives just to keep it safe. She wouldn't want it lying in some kind of vault…not anymore.

The days drifted by, and now it was only one day before Davis' return. Jessica arrived at the company earlier than usual.

She had scheduled a meeting with the department heads to lay out the plans for the next quarter.

From Luke Norman's report on the previous plans, she made several corrections and adjustments.

By the time the meeting ended, it was already past two in the afternoon.

Stepping into her office, a wave of unease struck her. Her heart clenched with dread, pounding violently in her chest as though it sought to escape.

Jessica pressed her hand against her chest, taking deep breaths to steady herself, but the sensation only worsened. "No… too bad," she whispered through an exhale.

"What is going on?" she muttered.

But she felt her hand tremble. She pulled it away from her chest and forced herself into her seat while she battled to regain her composure.

The last time she had this sort of feeling was when they were attacked on their way home after the Allen family gathering.

"Davis… you must be alright." Her prayer was silent, but fervent.

She grabbed her phone, dialing his number, but it wouldn't connect.

Jessica stood up from her seat, pacing the office anxiously while she muttered prayers under her breath for Davis' safety while frantically trying to reach him or Ethan.

She dialed Deborah's number to ascertain the situation at home, but the report came back that all is well. She sighed and settled back on the seat, yet the feeling became stronger and unrelenting.

While she tried to focus her attention on the files, her phone buzzed, and it was a call from the Santiagos' family house.

She picked up immediately, but the frantic voice of the butler came through the phone.

"Lady Matilda isn't feeling well, after trying to stabilize her, she lost consciousness and I couldn't reach Donald."

Jessica sprang to her feet, but a stabbing pain tore through her stomach. "Ouch," she gasped.

"Are you alright?" the anxious voice asked.

"I'm okay," she forced out, quickly gathering her things. "Where is she now?" she pressed, her mind already racing with grim possibilities and tales.

"She is at the Central Hospital. An IV had been hung on her," the butler explained hurriedly.

"Alright, don't panic. I'll be there shortly," Jessica assured her..

The call ended with a beep. She swiftly dialed another number. "Dean, please can you attend to Lady Matilda Santiagos, I will soon be there," she said, her voice clipped with urgency.

She tried Donald's number, but like Davis', it failed to connect.

"Calm down, Jessica. Nothing is going wrong," she whispered to herself, though she couldn't shake the heavy premonition building inside her.

Taking up the company's intercom, she called the assistant. "Luke, I am about to leave the company, inform me of any changes," she instructed.

She took a deep breath, glancing round the office one last time, as though she wanted this office etched into her memory, but then she only wanted to confirm she wasn't forgetting anything.

Taking up her handbag, she left the office. Downstairs, the driver had already boarded the car waiting for her.

She paused in her footsteps. "I think I will have to drive myself," she said to the driver in a firm voice.

The driver's gaze snapped to her face, his brow furrowed as he took in the sight of her heavy stomach and shook his head lightly.

"Am so sorry ma'am, but you can't drive in this state. Besides, you have already left the guards at home."

"Does that mean you are going to disobey me?" She asked coldly.

The driver straightened his back in his seat. "No, ma'am."

"But it wouldn't be a good idea to leave a pregnant woman with such a heavy stomach to go driving, when I am paid to do this job," the driver argued softly, almost pleading.

How will he explain to Davis that he left his wife to drive herself from work?

Wouldn't that mean he will be losing his job and possibly blacklisted?

How then would he earn his living, and driving her isn't that burdensome since her requirements are simple…drive carefully.

Jessica relented with a sigh, defeated. She slipped into the back seat, letting the driver take control.

Yet as the car rolled forward, her heart thumped violently. She glanced around the premises subtly as she scanned for any presence but there was nobody around.

Her brow furrowed; she had felt a lingering gaze on her, but as she turned around, it was just an empty parking lot with no one in sight.

Slowly, the car made its way out of the Allen Group, it joined the traffic speeding towards the hospital.

Jessica tapped her fingers restlessly on her thighs, her gaze cold and distant.

She couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding as it clung to her, heavier with every mile from the office.

"

"

"

"

The drive to the hospital was peaceful at first, but then the driver noticed their car was being tailed. His brow furrowed, his grip on the wheel tightening.

Jessica noticed his abnormal behavior and sat up. "What is the problem?"

"It seems we are being followed," he said, his gaze darting between the road ahead and the side mirror.

Jessica took a deep breath. "How many cars?" she asked, her voice calm, collected.

"I guess it should be two," he answered.

"Alright, continue ahead, increase your speed. Let's see what they want," she directed.

The driver pressed down on the gas pedal. The cars behind did the same, keeping pace.

"But ma'am, this might not be the usual tailing. It seems…"

"Why do you think so?" Jessica asked, her eyes narrowing.

She had suspected as much, but with her heavy belly, there was little she could do.

"This path to the hospital is usually not busy during afternoon hours, and it winds close to a cliff," he muttered, analyzing as his eyes flicked to the mirror again.

Jessica glanced back. A black car followed at a steady distance, just far enough not to draw attention, yet close enough to make her uneasy.

Her chest tightened.

"I guess you are right. Prepare for the worst," she said to the driver.

She lowered her gaze to her belly, her hand softly caressing her stomach. "Baby, be good. What must be, must be."

"Leave the car when you find the opportunity," she instructed the driver.

"No, ma'am. That is not happening."

"I already told you I want to drive myself. With the situation now, do you still think you can argue with me?" Her cold voice sent shivers down the driver's spine.

"Yes, ma'am," he responded, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"I hope the dashcam is on," she asked again.

"Yes."

The sound of heavy engines suddenly cut through her voice. Two huge trucks came from opposite sides of the road, one from the left bend, the other from the right.

"Slow down and leave the car immediately from the passenger's side," she shouted to the driver.

"No, ma'am," the driver answered, voice firm, though his hand trembled.

One hand clenched the wheel while the other unbuckled his belt. His eyes locked forward, cold determination etched across his face.

The truck headlights flashed, their horns blared, echoing through the empty air. It was now clear they were the target.

Jessica's heart skipped. There was no space. No escape.

"Leave. The. Car." She repeated, her voice almost a plea.

The driver hit the brakes, but the car skidded. The tires screeched loudly, the dust flying.

The trucks moved closer, their size swallowing the road. "God, no! This can't be the end," she gasped.

The driver threw himself over the backseat, forcing Jessica's head down and covering her body with his own.

"You have to live," he whispered hoarsely.

"You have to live," her voice came out muffled as the first truck clipped the front of her car, spinning it sideways. The force pushing the car to the edge.

The second one smashed against the back. The tires screeched, scraping the ground briefly and the road disappeared under them as the car tilted forward and plunged off the cliff.

The black car that had been following slowed to a stop. Its headlights glowed for a second in the distance.

Whoever was inside watched silently. Then, as the dust settled and the sound of the crash faded into the valley below, the car turned around but then…