Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption

It was a bright sunny day, the weather warm and calm, yet the woods felt much cooler.

The leaves rustled gently as the wind whispered through, sunlight piercing between branches and scattering streaks of gold across the forest floor.

Birds chirped endlessly as they darted through the trees, their flapping wings giving the woods a rhythm of their own.

Somewhere in the distance, a stream rumbled low and steady, its voice blending into the calm of nature.

Through the narrow path walked Davis, dressed in a crisp charcoal suit. His gold watch caught the sunlight, flashing briefly, his expression calm yet unreadable. Beads of sweat clung to his forehead, his pace steady along what felt like an endless path.

Some distance from the stream, he saw Jessica. She was dressed in a simple maternity suit, a milk-coloured chiffon blouse tucked neatly into her pants.

Her hair was gathered loosely with a band, the tips dancing in the breeze. She stood with her back towards the stream, her smile bright and warm.

"Hubby," she called sweetly.

Davis froze. His gaze softened, calm and tender, yet his eyes darted quickly around the woods. "Babe," he called back, voice low, "why are you here?"

Jessica giggled softly. "I waited for you, but you weren't coming. So, I made a trip here."

He stepped towards her, but she moved back with every step. "Why come alone? Didn't we agree to go together when I returned?" His tone carried concern.

She shrugged, mischief glinting in her eyes. "Call it my decision." Her hand brushed over her baby bump, gentle and protective. "I just thought…I would give birth here and come home with him."

Davis chuckled, shaking his head. "Aren't you in a rush? It's still seven weeks away."

"Who says one can't give birth before the due date?" she teased, lips curving into a smirk.

Still, she would not stay still. Each time he advanced, she stepped back, edging closer to the stream.

His brow furrowed. "Babe, stop. There's a stream behind you."

"Are you scared of the stream?" she teased.

"Not scared. But with such a belly…can you even swim?"

"Davis Allen! Did you just say I can't swim?" she pouted.

"My baby can do anything, even swim across the Atlantic…always the best," he joked, smiling faintly.

But no matter how he tried, he couldn't reach her. The distance between them stretched, endless and cruel. Frustration filled his voice. "Babe…let me hold you," he pleaded, hand reaching out.

Hoping he would stop her, but her footsteps only paused briefly, then she resumed her steps.

"Babe, please. Didn't you mention you came for me? Why go farther away?"

She paused briefly, eyes glimmering with tears. Then she smiled, though pain flickered behind it. "Hubby, you can't catch up with me. I love you…but you must live well."

His voice cracked. "Babe, I love you too, but we must live well…not just me. Us." He stretched his hand, desperate to close the gap.

"Davis, look." She pointed past him.

He turned his head and then came a deafening boom, followed by the heavy splash of water. He whipped back just in time to see her vanish into the stream.

"Babe! Babe! Jessica!" His voice tore through the woods as he ran, panic burning through him.

"Sir! Sir!"

Davis's eyes shot open. Ethan stood over him, concern etched across his face.

"Jessica," Davis gasped, his chest heaving. His breath ragged, his heart thumping harder, his hand and body trembling as his lips quivered.

"Are you okay, sir?" Ethan asked, unsettled by his condition. He reached to check his temperature, but there was no fever.

""No…we must live well," Davis murmured again and again, tears swelling in his eyes.

"You dreamt?" Ethan asked carefully.

Davis shook his head. "Not sleeping. It was raw…clear. I lost her. I couldn't stop her. I couldn't hold her." His body shivered as the words spilled, his voice breaking.

"She's fine," Ethan reassured softly.

But Davis shook his head, restless, distraught. He wasn't having it. "How many hours before landing?"

"Five," Ethan answered.

But then the voice replayed in his memory again, clear and vivid. "Hubby, you can't catch up with me."

Davis felt his heart gouged out. If only there was a means to call her, to hear her voice, but then five hours…he doubted if he could take that much without breaking down.

"

"

"

"

Meanwhile, at the scene of the accident, it was a different situation filled with urgency.

The black car and its occupants turned around to drive away but noticed their car had been blocked from the rear, and a few guards stood brandishing weapons.

While another two sets of cars drove past them, racing towards the truck that had run into the car the second time.

From another convoy, trained security teams leapt out, forming tight formation, rescue kits already in hand. They rushed straight to the cliff's edge, to the place where the car had plummeted.

By their outfits, they belonged to different units, different affiliations. Yet none of that mattered now. They had all come for one mission…rescue the woman in the car.

Instructions and orders echoed through the air from each of the team leaders as they struggled on how to reach the crashed car beneath the cliff.

The voices chaotic yet directed at one purpose.

Get the rope ready!

Fasten the rope!

Saddle the harness, we have to get her out immediately!

Let down!

Release the drones, we need to get a view of the situation!

There's no time, get on the rope!

Hurry, move in that direction!

Send the chopper over immediately!

I have already shared my location. Get here immediately!

Dean Mark, prepare emergency resuscitation immediately. The chopper is picking you up!

"I've already called the medic. Get here fast!"

Hello, fire service, there is an emergency, location shared.

At the cliff's edge, team leaders stood with earbuds pressed, eyes scanning the abyss. Safety kits were clipped on, ropes fastened, and climbers were already descending the rocky walls of the cliff.

Above, drones buzzed, sweeping the air, streaming footage of the wreck below while the leaders communicated the signal.

Within minutes, the heavy thump of rotor blades filled the air as the chopper closed in.

The cliffside was alive with chaos. Shouts. Ropes sliding. Radios buzzing. Commands colliding in a frenzy of urgency.

Several teams waited for further instructions while they silently prayed.

At the very edge, some of the guards dropped to their knees, their voice breaking through the storm of orders.

"Jessica!" they screamed into the gully.

His voice echoed.

"Jessica!"