After entering his room, Julia shut the door softly behind him. With a click, the light flicked on, bathing the familiar space in a warm glow.
He looked around, eyes pausing on the painting hanging on the far wall. It was a picture he had created long ago—an image crafted with hope and longing. A guide, he had once called it. A way to identify the sister he’d never met.
When drawing it, he’d imagined how she might look based on a careful blend of his parents’ features. Every stroke had meaning. Every color carried emotion. It wasn’t just a painting—it was a symbol, a reminder that somewhere out there, a part of him was still missing.
He had taken a shot of the painting with his phone and carefully saved it to ensure he didn’t lose it.
He stepped forward slowly, taking in every detail with new eyes. His heart thudded as he recalled the girl he’d seen earlier.
The resemblance was uncanny. Every detail seemed to match—except for the eyes. He hadn’t seen them. That one missing piece haunted him. Were they like his? Onyx flecked with gold? The thought lingered.
He sighed deeply and walked toward the bed. With a tired slump, he sat down and began unbuttoning his shirt.
The day had been long, stressful and exhausting in more ways than one. All he wanted was a quick shower and a few moments of quiet. With a long stride, he stepped into the bathroom.
Steam curled from the bathroom as he stepped out, towel slung over his shoulder, hair damp and tousled. Just as he reached for a shirt, his phone dinged.
A notification lit up the screen. He picked it up and glanced at the message. A summary report from Maxwell—his assistant. He skimmed it briefly, making a mental note to review it more thoroughly later.
Without hesitation, he dialed a number.
"Get me details of the Allen family," he said firmly. "And find out exactly how my sister became their wife."
He ended the call, rubbing his temple. He had more questions than answers. But one thing was certain—he was going to find out the truth.
"
"
"
"
~Country Y, Morning~
Thanks to his steady recovery and relentless insistence, Davis’s therapy schedule had been revised. Jessica had split the sessions into two: morning and night. It was the best way to speed up progress without overexerting him.
After completing the morning session, Jessica changed into casual clothes and grabbed her bag. There was someone she needed to see—Matilda Santiago.
Despite the knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach, Jessica reminded herself of her role. A doctor must treat all patients equally, she told herself, regardless of personal emotions or fear.
As her car pulled into the hospital parking lot, she exhaled, gathering her phone and bag before reaching for the door. But before she could step out, a couple caught her attention.
Her eyes widened. It was Aaron. And beside him—a woman. His new wife.
Jessica instinctively sat back down in her seat, heart skipping a beat. They didn’t know she was in this city, much less in this country.
Both she and Davis had been reported missing. Their had always been in the same city but had always ensured they never crossed paths.
But what surprised her more than Aaron’s presence was the woman by his side. She was beautiful, graceful, but her face sparked a distant memory. Jessica couldn’t place it, but something about her felt... familiar.
Aaron walked slowly, helping the woman toward their car. He stopped every few steps, letting her catch her breath. Once, he even bent slightly as if to lift her, but she gently waved him off.
Jessica quietly took out her phone. With a few clicks, she snapped a clear photo and attached it to a message.
"Your good cousin is finally hooked."
She sent it to Davis, then stared at the image again. That face... why did it feel like she’d seen it before? Pushing the thought aside, she waited until their car disappeared, then stepped out and entered the hospital.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption