Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 214: A crippled husband can’t take care of you?

With the work she intended to do already completed by the man peacefully sleeping on the bed, Jessica saw no reason to linger around the hotel room when there were so many other things to do and the ticking clock doesn’t wait for anybody.

Slipping out quietly, she walked over to the balcony, taking in the morning view of Noveira—the city bustling with liveliness, the citizens hurrying through the morning rush. As the morning breeze caressed her face, she took in a deep breath, her thoughts spinning quickly with plans.

Slowly, she pulled out her phone and dialed Ethan. He picked up immediately. "Good morning, Ethan," she greeted softly as soon as the call connected.

On the other end, Ethan hesitated feeling conflicted about how to respond. His heart stammered in his chest. She was their lady boss, and he was just a subordinate with privilege.

Also, She isn’t just anyone—she was Jessica. Brilliant. Sharp. Unapproachable. How was he supposed to return her casual morning greeting? He exhaled, voice barely audible through the speaker, "Morning, ma’am."

Jessica’s lips tugged into a smile, amused by how nervous and burdened he felt just responding to her greeting, even though she had never felt awkward initiating it.

She could practically feel his discomfort over the phone, and somehow, that amused her. "Prospective brother-in-law, and you’re still stumped by a simple greeting?" she teased, her voice light.

She couldn’t help but imagine Ethan’s reddened ears, embarrassed face and eyes darting away if he were standing in front of her.

She had always told him not to feel burdened and uptight around her. It made her wonder if this was the same fearless Ethan who would’ve kicked her out the door if she ever harmed Davis.

"Madam, you know it’s not that easy," he finally said, his troubled voice filtering through the phone after a deep breath.

"Ethan, I have said this over and over again, can you treat me like a normal human?" She asked warily.

Ethan kept silent, he didn’t know how to reply to this request. Over the years, he had been quiet close to Davis yet in certain cases he had always treated him like his superior while in some it was casual.

But Jessica’s case is quiet different and complicated—she is the wife of his boss. "How can she request to be treated simply when he was supposed to hug her thigh?"

"Alright, I won’t tease you anymore," she said with a soft chuckle. "Can you send me the documents with names and contacts of the company’s former staff?"

"I’ll send them immediately after the call," Ethan replied, relaxing a little, waiting for further instructions. But Jessica’s next question made him choke on his saliva.

"How’s Bella?" she smirked.

Ethan coughed, audibly choking on nothing but the weight of the question. free𝑤ebnovel.com

He felt his heart leap to his throat. He didn’t know how to respond.

The day was already getting tough, and now Jessica was teasing him over the phone too—quite miserable. Gathering his thoughts quickly, he gave the safest response he could. "She’s fine."

Jessica smiled to herself, not unkindly. "That should keep him on his toes." She mused.

She had her reasons—Ethan was beginning to treat her like some untouchable deity, she didn’t like it. Until he drops that attitude and sees her as human, she’d keep nudging at his discomfort and always make him flustered.

"Alright. Waiting for your message," she said, ending the call. She stood for awhile, her hand tightening over the phone, her gaze into the distance.

She couldn’t help thinking about it all—the situation in Country Y and their trip in Noveria. It is overwhelming but the earlier they end things the better.

These days, she had been feeling really terrible. Her body seemed to adopt a new habit she didn’t like. "It seems I’m beginning to get too lazy. Falling asleep now happens in the blink of an eye," she muttered to herself.

Taking a deep breath, she turned back into the room. She needed to handle all the matters at hand and return to Country Y.

The sun had spilled through the windows by the time she returned to the room. Quietly, she walked to the table, opened her laptop, and downloaded the document Ethan sent.

Her gaze hardened with focus as she reviewed the list: names, qualifications, strengths. She had instructed Ethan earlier to investigate their post-crisis situations and conduct a quiet survey on who was willing to return. One by one, she evaluated the names, mentally preparing to call each for a personal interview.

She moved on to the company design files, initiating necessary changes. By the time she was done, two hours had slipped away. Glancing at her wristwatch, she called for room service, estimating Davis would wake soon.

Right on cue, Davis stirred, groaning softly before sitting up. At the sound, she turned in her seat.

"You’re awake?" she asked.

His eyes shifted from her to the laptop, then back to her. His face darkened.

"Working again?" he asked, his tone cool, clipped.

Jessica blinked, confused at the sudden scowl on his face. "Angry?" She muttered more to herself. "Shouldn’t I be working?" She asked, searching his face for answers.

Davis rubbed his brow, sighing. He wanted to speak but didn’t want to sound harsh. His voice, when it came, was low and strained.

"That’s not it. I just..." He reached out to her. "Come here."

Jessica rose slowly, cautious and uncertain, padded over to him like a child unsure if they’re in trouble.

He pulled her gently into his arms. "I didn’t mean you shouldn’t work. But you’re driving yourself too hard. Your body can’t keep this pace." His voice softened, his tone more of pleading.

She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. Her heart swirled with a mix of emotions. How long had it been since someone cared enough to stop her from working?

Still, uncertainty flickered in her eyes. If she stopped working... what would she be?

Reading her silence, Davis let out a breath. "Babe, you never rest. You don’t take a break. That’s not really living rather you are harming your body."

She met his gaze. "Are you asking me to live off you?" she asked, half-serious, half-teasing.

"Is that such a terrible thought to live off me? Or, are you saying a crippled husband can’t take care of you?" He asked, his brows raised in askance.

Jessica studied his countenance for a while and shrugged her shoulders "Not really." She murmured.

Twirling a lose strand of her hair in his finger, he murmured. "It’s not that I don’t want you working... but you’re burning out. I want you to rest. Eventhough, it’s for a while."

Jessica’s shoulders slumped, not from defeat but from vulnerability. "When someone stops being useful... they start fading. That’s what life has taught me."

Davis closed his eyes. Her words gutted him. The main reason he had insisted she comes to Noveira with him is mainly to create an opportunity for her to relax.

Now, it seems that purpose can’t be achieved. Seeing he can’t convince her, he let the matter slide. "Maybe tonight’s gathering with friends would distract her, even if briefly." He mused.

A soft knock at the door interrupted the moment. Jessica stood to answer it as Davis took the opportunity to go into the bathroom for a quick bath.

There’s a crucial appointment scheduled with the previous manager of the Noveira branch of Allen groups.

After breakfast, they left the hotel to meet with the manager.