Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 131: Let me fill that space...

With Jessica’s steady warmth and calm presence, Davis slowly pulled himself back together. His breathing evened out, and the storm of emotions swirling inside him began to settle.

"Sometimes, you just need to let it all out, you know," Jessica said gently, her voice soft and soothing.

She didn’t push him to talk about what had happened. She understood that whatever could break Davis down like this had to come from deep within—something tied to his past, something painful. Over the past year of living together, they had faced their fair share of ups and downs—arguments, miscommunications, even moments of frustration. But never had he allowed himself to break open like this. Tonight was different.

"I’m sorry," Davis said quietly, his voice husky as he pulled her into a firm embrace. "I didn’t mean to disturb your night."

Jessica rested her head against his chest, her fingers gently tracing small circles on his back. "Well, you did disturb my peaceful sleep," she teased, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "And you’ll have to make it up to me."

Davis let out a soft laugh, a genuine one that melted away some of the heaviness still clinging to his heart. Her playful tone and comforting presence made the moment easier to bear.

He tightened his arms around her as if drawing strength from her nearness. The warmth of her body began to soothe the cold emptiness he had carried for years.

Looking down at her, Davis pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her lips—a silent promise, an unspoken thank you.

"Thank you," he whispered against her lips.

Jessica looked up and smiled, not needing any explanation. For now, her comfort was enough. They didn’t need words. Just the quiet closeness of each other, wrapped in the safety of that moment, was more than enough.

~Next day~

Despite having her sleep interrupted in the middle of the night by Davis’s emotional breakdown, Jessica woke up earlier than usual. She turned slightly and found Davis still asleep beside her. His face looked calm and peaceful, a stark contrast to the tears and pain he had shown just a few hours ago.

She stared at him quietly for a moment, unable to take her eyes off his godlike, handsome face. In that still moment, she thought to herself how blessed she was. What was supposed to be a forced, pitiful marriage had turned out to be one of the greatest gifts of her life.

With a small smile, she reached out and gently traced the lines of his face—his brows, the shape of his nose, the curve of his jaw—as if she was trying to memorize every detail. Her fingers moved slowly and carefully, as though he were a precious sculpture.

"You’re really dangerous," she murmured softly to herself. "When you stand on your feet again, I might have to change your face just to keep you all to myself."

She chuckled lightly at her own words and leaned down to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. Just as she tried to gently pull herself out of his arms, a warm hand wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her back into his chest.

Startled, she looked up. Davis’s eyes were slightly open now, a playful glint in them. "What kind of face would you give me then?" he asked, his voice low and teasing, his lips brushing against her ear.

Jessica gasped slightly, her body tingling from the whisper, and her cheeks turned bright red. She hadn’t expected him to be awake.

Almost as if he could read her mind, Davis smirked. "I wasn’t awake at first, but your seductive little touch woke me up. And I feel lucky to have heard those sweet words. Should I call that a confession?"

Jessica covered her face with her hands, clearly flustered. Why hadn’t she remembered how lightly he slept? "That wasn’t a confession," she mumbled, avoiding his gaze. "I didn’t say anything serious."

Davis chuckled and pulled her even closer, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You don’t have to feel shy or threatened," he said softly. "You’re the only one I have. The only one I want."

Jessica blinked as she looked into his eyes. His expression was serious, his words sincere. The weight of his emotions hit her like a warm wave. Her heart thudded in her chest, and without thinking, she leaned forward and kissed him gently.

She pulled back with a soft smile. "I have to get ready. It’s going to be a long day. I’ve got a full schedule at the hospital today. A surgery is lined up, and I need to be there early."

She slipped out of his arms and walked into the bathroom for a quick shower.

Davis remained in bed for a few seconds, watching the door close behind her. A quiet sigh left his lips. Part of him wanted to ask if he could go with her, but he knew better. Jessica had her duties, and she had worked hard to build her career. The least he could do was support her from the sidelines.

He sat up slowly and with ease shifted into his wheelchair. Over time, he had mastered the movements and routines. He didn’t need anyone’s help anymore. He wheeled himself toward the wardrobe and carefully selected her outfit—an off-white polo and a neat pair of blue jeans. He had gotten used to her taste in clothing and even felt a strange sense of pride as he picked out the outfits with the hope she will like it.

Next, he rolled over to the bedside table and began gathering her essentials—her phone, ID cards, house keys, and a couple of medical files she had reviewed the night before. He neatly packed them into a stylish backpack he had picked out for her.

Then, he headed toward the small kitchenette area in the room. Silently, he boiled some water, brewed her favorite tea, and laid out some toast and fruit on a tray. By the time Jessica stepped out of the bathroom in her robe, fresh-faced and drying her hair with a towel, everything was ready and waiting.

She froze at the sight. On the dressing table, a warm cup of tea sat beside her bag, her essentials neatly arranged, and her outfit laid out. She blinked, a sudden warmth flooding her heart. Her throat tightened with emotion, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Davis noticed her expression and immediately became worried. "Baby, what’s wrong? Are you hurt? Did you slip in the bathroom?" he asked, wheeling closer with concern on his face.

Jessica quickly shook her head. "No, no. I’m fine," she whispered, trying to hold back her tears. "It’s just... thank you. No one has done this for me since my mom passed away."

Her voice cracked at the end, and she bit her lip to stop herself from crying.

Understanding dawned in Davis’s eyes. He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. "You don’t have to feel alone anymore," he said softly. "From now on, I’ll be the one to do that for you. Let me fill that space, okay?"

Jessica nodded silently, her heart overwhelmed with gratitude. In this simple act of care, Davis had done more than just help her get ready—he had touched a tender part of her heart she had locked away for years.

She stepped forward and kissed his forehead. "Thank you, Davis."

Davis gave her a boyish smile. "Now go be the incredible doctor that you are. I’ll be waiting for you when you get home."

Jessica got dressed quickly, took her tea, and gave him one last hug before heading out. Her steps felt lighter, her spirit uplifted.

As she left, Davis sat quietly by the window, watching her disappear down the driveway. A small smile played on his lips. He had finally found something worth holding onto and he would do everything to protect it.