Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 170: Memories...

By the time Julia left the study, it was already past dinner. His mood melancholic, his steps were slow and heavy as he made his way to his room,

His heart was weighed down with thoughts—questions and confusion swirling in his mind about his past and the mystery surrounding him and his twin sister. He had to solve it all and bring the matter to a closure.

For as long as he could remember, Sonia Andrews was introduced to him as his mother. She held that title in name, but he had never felt any real connection to her.

They were like night and day and she had always been the opposite of what he is Even as a child, he would often ask his father if she was truly his mother.

In public, in front of family and guests, Sonia treated him like a precious jewel—her baby boy, always full of love and attention. But the moment they were alone, her true nature would come out. Her kind words turned cold, and she treated him with disdain.

Behind closed doors, Julia became her target—she’d hit him, pinch him, insult him. He was just a punching bag to her. A child with no value.

At just six years old, Julia was already convinced that Sonia Andrews wasn’t his real mother. No matter how hard hearted a mother is, there would be leniency.

One day, he’d finally gathered the courage to tell his father. He had sneaked into the study, tears in his eyes, and told Josh everything.

"Are you sure about this?" Josh had asked, his voice serious.

Julia nodded. He wanted his father to believe him. Without another word, he had lifted his shirt, revealing fresh bruises and scratches on his skin.

His father’s face darkened immediately. It was clear he was furious. Julia knew hell might be let loose. He dare not take chances.

But before he could storm out, Julia ran forward and grabbed the hem of his shirt tightly, stopping him.

He didn’t want to imagine the sort of fear that might have been written all over his face. Yes, he was really afraid of what might be his fate.

He had been terrified. If Sonia found out he had spoken, he didn’t know what she might do. She had always warned him that the day he told anyone would be the day he died.

Josh understood the fear in his son’s eyes and said nothing more. He kept calm. But that didn’t mean he ignored what his son had revealed.

He devised ways to alleviate the torture making sure he leaves maids and guards around him since she plays the good man in the presence of others.

On Julia’s seventh birthday, something unusual happened. Normally, he would receive toys, books, or other gifts. But this time, his father called him to the study and handed him a sealed folder —a type of gift he never expected.

"You’re an Anderson. Our children grow up fast. We prepare them for real-life responsibilities early," Josh had explained. "Today, this is your gift."

Julia opened the folder, expecting a document about science or business. But what he saw made his heart skip a beat—it was a DNA test result between himself and Sonia Andrews.

His eyes widened. Tears welled up as he read the result. Sonia wasn’t his mother.

He wanted to scream in relief, in joy, but his father quickly placed a hand over his mouth.

"A man keeps his secrets," Josh said calmly. Julia felt like a bucket of cold water had been rained down on him.

He nodded. Even as a child, he understood the weight of that moment. His heart though chastised continuously leaped in happiness, he was overjoyed— finally he was free from the woman who tormented him.

As though recalling something missing, he looked up at his father with innocent curiosity and asked, "Then, who is my real mother?"

Josh sighed. His expression turned distant, his face clouded with sadness and cold. The type of coldness he had never seen on his face in the years he called him father.

It was a rare occasion. "Take a look at the picture in the envelope you dropped on the floor and see if you love her." He said with a soft voice, a rare smile creeping his lips as he mentioned her.

Julia bent down and picked the envelope again. With a shaky hand he picked up the envelope and pulled out a photograph. His heart fluttered at the image of a beautiful, gentle-looking woman. Her smile was kind and her eyes held warmth. He felt an instant connection.

Looking up, Julia asked excitedly, "When are we bringing her home?"

Josh turned his back and didn’t respond right away. Julia couldn’t see his face, but his trembling shoulders spoke volumes.

Even at that age, Julia knew something was wrong. He understood human emotions even as a child because he had been forced through it.

When his father finally faced him again, his eyes were red. His voice was hoarse when he said, "I’ll take you to see her soon."

True to his word, Josh took him—only not to a house, but to a cemetery. His real mother was gone, long before she ever got the chance to know she had a son. The grief was deep.

After they returned, Josh made a difficult decision and sent Julia out of the country. It wasn’t punishment—it was protection, and part of the Anderson tradition.

Their children were raised abroad and trained strictly, with the best education and survival skills. By ten, every Anderson child was expected to be able to attend business meetings and make critical decisions.

Even while abroad, Julia stayed involved in the family business under his father’s guidance. But on one of Josh’s visits, Julia noticed his father looked deeply hurt.

"Dad, what’s wrong?" he had asked, alarmed.

Josh hesitated before speaking. "I lost your twin sister," he finally said. "I went to get her from the Brown family, but she was gone. I’ve used all my resources to search for her, but she disappeared."

Julia could see how broken his father was. He wanted to comfort him, but Josh grew firm.

"You must find her," Josh told him. "She can’t survive out there alone. She’s too young, too soft, she can’t survive alone outside. Promise me, Julia—you’ll never stop searching for her."

"I promise, Dad."

Days counted into months and months spanned into years it was as though his twin sister had been washed off the face of the earth yet he didn’t stop searching.

He searched country after country, used every contact he had—but it was like she had vanished into thin air.

Now, two months ago, he returned to Country Z to officially take over some major family businesses. Though he’d been handling things behind the scenes for years, this was a formal step into the spotlight.

Then, just two weeks ago, a business trip led him to Country Y. While there, he decided to visit his mother’s grave. And it was at that moment—an unexpected twist of fate—he saw her.

He wasn’t sure at first, but something in him recognized her. It felt like everything had come full circle. A prayer finally answered.

But Julia wasn’t a fool. Years of training and experience told him not to act on impulse. He couldn’t force her to come back. If he did, he might lose her again. No, he needed to be smart and calm.

He needed to enter her world slowly. Blend into her environment, understand her life, and protect her without being obvious. Only then could he gain her trust.

His heart was determined. After years of searching, he had finally found his sister. And this time, he would not let her go.