Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption novel Chapter 47

Chapter 47: What’s wrong?

Seeing Vera move toward the dinning room, the family members gradually dispersed and made their way toward the dining room.

Jessica walked over to Davis, noticing the faint smile playing on his lips. "What’s so funny?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Davis didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he reached out, pulling her lightly toward him. The sudden movement caught Jessica off guard, and she nearly lost her balance. Before she could stumble, his firm grip steadied her, his arm wrapping securely around her waist.

Jessica tried to pry his hand away from her waist but he didn’t budge. Their posture was ambiguous—intimate, almost teasing.

"Allen Davis," she called sternly, her tone carrying a warning, but all it did was elicit a deep chuckle from him.

His gaze flickered to her hand—the one Vera had smacked earlier. His eyes darkening "Are you hurt?"

"No. I retracted my hand early, and she punched the air instead." Jessica smirked her voice was low, meant only for him to hear.

Davis nodded in amusement, his grip loosening just enough for her to step out of his hold.

"Let’s go to the table," she muttered before she slowly pushed him toward the dining hall.

Elder Allen had already taken his seat at the head of the long mahogany table. The second branch of the Allen family sat to his left, and the first branch occupied his right—just as it had always been the custom.

Maids bustled around, carefully setting out the lavishly prepared dishes according to everyone’s preference.

The table was a masterpiece—exquisite utensils and cutleries, fine crystal glasses, outstanding furnishings and a luxurious spread of delicacies. But beneath the grandeur, the people seated at the table were a tangled mess of schemes and ambitions, their hearts a complex spiral vortex waiting to drown each other.

Desmond sat beside Elder Allen, followed by Aaron, then Vera. Davis was next, positioned between Vera and Jessica, with Ethan on Jessica’s other side. This arrangement left Davis sandwiched between two women.

The meal began in near silence. Jessica focused on preparing Davis’s plate with attention to its quality and suitability to his condition. Before she began eating her own meal while Davis accepts everything based on her arrangements. The effortless exchange between them deepened the bitterness in Vera’s heart.

As if to provoke further, Davis casually reached for a napkin and gently wiped a tiny smudge of oil from Jessica’s lips—his movement so natural, making it clear it wasn’t the first time.

Vera tightened her grip on her cutlery, Aaron glared at her but she pretended to be oblivious of that. This left Aaron seething with rage.

Just then, several maids entered carrying trays of freshly prepared juices, each tailored to the individual preferences of the family members.

Vera cleared her throat lightly. "Sister-in-law, since this is your first time officially dining with the family, I thought it would be fitting to give you a toast of welcome."

A faint murmur passed around the table as each family member picked a glass of their choice drink in readiness for the proposed toast.

Vera, wearing a warm smile, picked up a glass of orange juice and handed it to Jessica. She accepted it silently, her expression unreadable and calm—except for the brief, subtle glance she cast toward Davis’s drink.

"I hope you don’t mind if the drink isn’t your favourite," Vera continued sweetly. "I wasn’t sure of your exact taste, perhaps next time, I’ll make a more informed choice." Her tone light and her eyes beaming with affection.

Jessica’s lips curled into a soft smile. "I don’t mind, sister-in-law. After all, a toast from you is an honor."

Then, just as she was about to lift the glass to her lips, she paused. Her gaze flickered toward Vera, sharp and knowing.

"Sister-in-law," Jessica said slowly, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, "If you don’t mind, let’s exchange glasses. I’m not in a situation to drink orange juice right now but I can make do with your lemonade."

She extended her hand toward Vera, offering her the orange juice while reaching for Vera’s own glass in return.

For a split second, a flicker of hesitation passed through Vera’s eyes.She was reluctant. To cut off any eventualities she has prepared only a glass for each person.

But Jessica’s timing was impeccable.

Several family members especially those from the second branch already had their glasses in hand waiting for her and their gazes on them.

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