Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 184: Officially declare him dead

~At the Police Station~

Desmond Allen arrived at the police station with a grim look on his face. His hands were clenched tightly at his

sides, and his shoulders were stiff with tension as he marched toward the main office.

He had one goal—to see the Police Chief.

He needed to end smatters and he will prefer it to be done fast.

A few days ago, one of his loyal subordinates reported seeing a woman who looked exactly like Jessica leaving

the hospital. She had entered a black luxury car guarded by security that it was impossible to approach further.

At first, Desmond dismissed it. It couldn't be her—Jessica was gone otherwise why isn’t she back to the Allen

family since their accident. He recalled to had even laughed at George Brown when he claimed that his daughter

Risa said to have seen her.

But then this subordinate had shown him a photo evidence which he sneakily took. Desmond couldn't deny it

any longer. The face in that photo was hers.

And it could only confirm one thing. Either she is Alive or it is her twin sister but then he is quite sure he doesn’t

have any and none that he can think of thereby leaving him with one answer she is the one.

Now, he had no choice. He had to act fast. If Jessica really was alive then Davis might be and if returned,

everything he worked for would collapse.

He had gone too far, crossed too many lines. There was no room for her return. No room for mistakes not now,

not ever. He must lay claim to every of his possession.

With long, angry strides, Desmond walked straight into the office of the Police Chief after a brief knock on the

door and the low voice of the Chief ushering him inside.

The Chief Jason, recognizing him, stood and greeted him warmly. But Desmond's face remained hard and stern.

He wasn’t here for pleasantries—he was here to end this, once and for all.

Jason The Police Chief, is a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a calm presence, quietly he analyzed

Desmond's countenance and knew it’s going to be a troublesvisit.

"Mr. Allen, It’s been a while. Please, have a seat." He said.

Desmond took the offered hand with a firm shake before sitting down. "Chief, thank you for seeingon such

short notice."

Jason nodded, settling back into his chair. "Of course. You sounded urgent on the phone. And I cannot deny you

such request." He said, his gaze not leaving Desmond Allen.

Desmond nodded "I won't take much of your time, Chief. I'm here regarding the case of Davis Allen, my

nephew."

"Is this about the accident three months ago?" Jason asked, his brow raised for confirmation.

"Yes," Desmond said, cutting straight to the point. "We've waited long enough. It's been three months since the

incident involving Davis. We've searched the entire region, even extended to neighboring counties, but there's

been no sign of him. The rescue team found no body, no clues—nothing. | believe it's twe accept the truth."

The Chief stared at him in as though it is the first the has seen him "Accept the truth? How?" .

"Yes, just like every other incidents in our life, one had to go on to the next phase of things so it is better to

declare him dead." He declared

The chief's eyes widened slightly. "You're asking us to officially declare Davis Allen deceased?"

"Yes," Desmond replied calmly, though his jaw was tight. "We cannot hold onto a hope that leads nowhere. The

family business cannot remain in limbo. Legally and publicly, we need closure."

Jason tapped a pen against the desk thoughtfully. "Mr. Allen, | understand your position. But you do realize that a

legal declaration of death without a body is not simple. Usually, the standard wait is seven years—unless we

have strong evidence of a fatal event."

Desmond leaned forward, his voice low and firm. "What other evidence? There was an accident. A severe one.

The vehicle plunged off a cliff, and though the wreckage was found but their body was not found. If he survived,

we would have heard something by now. We have witnesses, the crash report, and the search operation logs.

What more evidence do we need?"

The chief hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. "Under special circumstances, it can be done. And I'm

aware. The court set a hearing date for three months from now, pending further investigation or discovery," the

chief responded, flipping open the file. "You know it’s a delicate matter."

"Yes, it is delicate but the petition to declare Davis legally dead was submitted to the court two months ago."

Desmond retorted, his tone irritable.

"I know. And it can only be considered when it is three months without any positive outcome"

Desmond leaned forward slightly. "That's what | want to change. | want to move the hearing forward. | need that

declaration finalized immediately."

The Chief's brows rose. "You want the court to push up the hearing date? That's highly unusual. Unless there's

new evidence that reinforces the claim—"

"There is no new evidence," Desmond interrupted. "But there's also no hope. It's been over three months since

the accident. The search was thorough. Nothing was found. Not a trace of him. And now, every day that passes

puts the Allen Group at risk."

Chief leaned back, studying Desmond. "We discussed this, Mr. Allen. Without a body, and without conclusive

proof of death, the court was already generous in accepting the initial petition. Now you want them to jump their

own timeline?"

"I'm not asking," Desmond replied, eyes cold. "I'm giving you notice. The Allen Group is bleeding. Elder Allen’s

health is fragile, and the board needs decisive leadership. If Davis isn’t coming back—and he isn't—then keeping

his seat warm is costing us power and profit."

Chief narrowed his eyes. "This is not just about profit. We're talking about a life here. A man. Your nephew and

not just your nephew but also his wife."

Desmond's expression didn’t shift. "We're talking about a dead man who hasn’t been found. There's a

difference."

The silence that followed was tense.

After a long pause, the chief spoke again. "Even if | support your request, the court needs solid justification. |

can’t fabricate that for you."

The chief gave a long sigh. "It’s always hard... declaring someone dead when there's no body. Are you sure this

is what the family wants?"

Desmond's expression darkened slightly. "The family has trustedto handle this matter. We must move

forward."

There was a brief silence.

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"Very well," Chief said at last. "I'll begin the process. But if he’s found later—alive—it will cause legal

complications and | trust you be prepared."

Desmond gave a cold smile. "If he returns... then we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

I"

Desmond stood slowly. “Then | trust

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you'll do your part, Chief. File @, m

supplemental repbr-ReGornmend

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chapter there!

He turned to leave but paused at the door. "I'm not heartless, Chief. I'm practical. The Allen Group can’t wait for

a ghost to show up."

The Police Chief watched him go, unease stirring in his chest. As the door clicked shut, he muttered under his

breath:

"Or maybe... someone doesn’t want the ghost to cback."